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Mel Tucker shows confidence in freshman kicker after Week 1 showing
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Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker is looking to boost the kicking game with freshman Jack Stone, according to Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press. In Michigan State’s 35-13 home win over Western Michigan in Week 1, Stone was 5-for-5 on extra point kicks, but he missed a 44-yard field goal late in the 3rd quarter.
Michigan State is more confident with the punting and the return game. They will have to do what they can to give the kicking game, specifically Stone some confidence.
“He’s a young player and he hasn’t been here that long and that was his first time in a game like that so we have to take it kind of one rep at a time with him and continue to work with him,” Tucker said after the game Friday. “He seemed to be able to go to the next kick so to speak and focus on that. First game, freshman, in the Woodshed at night, guys are counting on him.”
Stone beat out former Auburn transfer Ben Patton after making 5-of-6 field goals and 6-of-6 extra points last season.
“We had a competition in camp so he won that competition based upon what he did in practice compared to the other guys,” Tucker said. “Sometimes there’s not that much difference, but you’ve got to put somebody out there.”