SDSU FOOTBALL: Yoshida gives SDSU a boost with his stellar kicking
By SCOTT BAIR - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO ---- The San Diego State football team ends most every practice with field goals. The team tests its place-kickers for accuracy during those periods, and the grades have not been good.
Some sessions have been bad, others downright ugly during the search to replace four-year starter Garrett Palmer.
Bryant Shields and David Brown have struggled these past two weeks, but a pint-sized transfer from Reedley College gave the Aztecs something to cheer about.
Lane Yoshida, who practiced with the team during the spring and summer but was not invited to the start of fall camp, rejoined the team on Thursday after Shields was sidelined with a hip flexor injury.
This humble kid with a thick Southern drawl has become the most popular Aztec in camp, with the entire team cheering him during each and every kick.
Yoshida put on a show Friday afternoon. He nailed seven consecutive field goals, the last two from 49 and 52 yards, with the whole squad chanting, "Lane! Lane! Lane!"
"I guess I had a good day today," Yoshida said. "But more than anything else, I'm just glad to be back here with the fellas. Everyone's out here working hard and it's just great to come out and be able to contribute."
Only time will tell if Yoshida's day is the beginning of a positive trend or a blip on the radar. At a bare minimum, it energized the Aztecs in the midst of a 12-day stretch with 15 practices and no days off.
"The guys were really into it," Long said. "For a kicker, Lane's really given this team some juice in the middle of camp."
The team has taken to Yoshida, especially after seeing how hard he worked in the offseason.
"Nobody works harder at his job," quarterback Drew Westling said. "That's the truth."
Yoshida knows full well that one good day didn't make him a front runner.
"My dad always says that you're only as good as your next kick," Yoshida said.
"Whenever they tell you to go in, you have to perform. Today was fun, but I'm already focused on tomorrow."
Saturday will be big for all kickers in camp. The kicking game will be a point of emphasis during the Aztecs Family Day scrimmage at Qualcomm Stadium, which will include live hitting and situational plays. The open kicking competition should clear up somewhat after that, when the field goals occur in front of a crowd.
Yoshida's performance, as well as better showings from long snapper Aaron Brewer, punter Brian Stahovich and Brown are helping Long rest a bit easier.
"All of our specialists have improved," Long said. "I'm feeling better and better by the day."
Aztecs notes
Mike Matamua, in a heated battle with Peter Nelson to become the starting left tackle, went down on Friday morning with an ankle injury, the extent of which is not yet known. X-rays showed no broken bones, but he'll be re-evaluated on Saturday to determine whether he needs an MRI. ... DL Darias Jones, a 6-4, 355-pound junior transfer, participated for the first time in the afternoon session after being cleared academically a few days ago. ... DL Ryan Williams missed time with back spasms, but should be back next week.
Contact staff writer Scott Bair at (760) 739-6642 or sbair@nctimes.com.
More Stories
First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.
Advertisement