JOHN KOVACH | Colleges Poland's Resch helps Flyers earn 9-2 season record

DAYTON -- Placekicker Jason Resch always had power in his kicking leg, he just needed to tame it with style and accuracy.
The Poland High graduate was able to do just that this season as a redshirt junior with the University of Dayton team.
Resch (6-foot, 203 pounds) wound up as the Flyers' leading scorer this year, and was a prime reason for their success.
He went 43-for-47 in extra points and 10-for-18 in field goals for 73 points, leading Dayton to a 9-2 record, including 2-2 in the Pioneer Football League.
His longest field goal was 46 yards, although he has kicked further in practice; and two of his attempts were blocked.
Resch kicked three field goals in the Flyers' 41-30 loss to San Diego two Saturdays ago, setting the stage for what he hopes will be an even better senior campaign in 2004.
Steady development
"From my first year [at Dayton] to now, my confidence level has improved, and I have a more relaxed style of kicking," said Resch, who saw only light duty his first two seasons before redshirting. "I definitely have a strong leg. That used to be my strength, but as my confidence and style has changed, my accuracy has improved. Now I expect I'll make [each kick]."
Resch was highly-ranked in several league categories. He was No. 2 in kick scoring and field goals per game, No. 4 in point-after-attempt percentage, No. 5 in field goal percentage and No. 9 in scoring.
Resch said his redshirt year also enabled him to further develop his style and accuracy.
"I asked them to redshirt me," he said. "I played some the first two years, but I knew I wouldn't get that much time. So I thought it was a good move to save a year and come back the next year."
During his redshirt year, "I did everything I normally did. I went to practices with pads and went to some away games as a backup just in case [the starter] got hurt, but that didn't happen."
Academics also played a role in his decision.
"I am in a program with a double major in accounting and finance and I knew I would be in a school [in 2004] anyhow," said Resch, who is finishing his undergraduate work and will start on his master's degree next semester.
Has 3.76 GPA
"I will get my bachelor and MBA at the same time in August 2005," said Resch, who has a 3.76 grade-point average. "I am going to sit for the CPA exam and go from there [to find out] if I will follow accounting or finance."
But Resch also has long-term hopes for an NFL tryout.
"My ultimate goal is to kick in the NFL, but I will have to see how next season goes, but regardless I will try it," said Resch, who does not want to look past next season.
"I'm going to focus on improving myself for the team to help them," he said, before he starts concentrating on the NFL.
Resch, who practices kicking during the off-season, said he is going to take a break.
"I kick indoors during the winter," he said. "I have been injured the last month. My right hip was bothering me the last four games because I had been kicking so much. I'll take off for awhile until it feels better."
Resch is the son of Jeff and Linda Resch. His coach at Poland was Paul Hulea.
kovach@vindy.com