Blose on top of kicking game

By Joe Scalzo | October 15, 2010 at 12:10a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Throughout his college career, YSU kicker Stephen Blose’s performance on extra points has been a lot like his performance in the classroom: perfect.

Blose made both of his extra points in last week’s loss to North Dakota State, helping him pass Nick Terracina for the school record for consecutive PATs with 50. Terracina made 49 straight from 2003-04.

“Looking back and seeing all the kickers that came through here, it’s special,” said Blose, who has a 4.0 grade point average as a middle childhood education major. “You see [future NFL players] Jeff Wilkins, [Paul] McFadden all come through here and knowing you’re up there with them makes you feel pretty good.”

Blose was seconds away from claiming hero status Saturday when he made a 38-yard field goal to give the Penguins a 29-28 lead with 51 seconds remaining. But the Bison scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession.

“As specialists, we look at every game as another practice,” Blose said, when asked about the field goal. “We don’t get too excited. We don’t get too hyped up.

“It’s just another field goal.”

This season, he’s made all 23 of his extra-point attempts — including 9 for 9 against Central Connecticut State to tie Paul Massaro for school records in PATs made and attempted in a game.

“You can’t take those for granted,” said Blose, who credited holder Marc Kanetsky and long snapper Nate Schurko. “A lot of people think they’re easy points. In actuality, the other team is coming after you, just as a normal field goal goes.”

Blose has made 6 of 8 field goals this season and is 16 of 25 in his career with a long of 48.

A two-year starter at placekicker and a four-year letterwinner, Blose was recently named one of 121 finalists for the William V. Campbell trophy, a national award given to students who are standouts in the classroom, on the field and as leaders in their communities.

“He’s having a great year and he’s a great kid,” YSU coach Eric Wolford said. “We have a tradition around here for having good kickers and I don’t think this is an easy place to kick. The wind swirls a little bit.”

Blose said Illinois State is the toughest place in the conference to kick — mainly because of some tricky wind — and, naturally, cited North Dakota State and Northern Iowa as the best. (Both have domes.)

After spending the last three years handling kickoffs, Blose has focused mainly on field goals and extra points this fall. He said being able to focus on one thing has made him better.

“I’ve been kicking the ball real well,” he said. “As compared to previous seasons, I think I’m at the top of my game.”