Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1063223
V S . K E N T U C K Y After that 32-yarder vs. App State, he missed from 45 yards on a rainy field at Pittsburgh and from 44 at Illinois. He was perfect from the PAT line, however, and has only missed two extra points all sea- son. The gradual success, Gillikin said, "built his confidence up over the course of the year, both in the game and in prac- tice. I think you're seeing that progres- sion and that trust pay off." Pinegar's role increased in week five, beginning with a 2-for-3 performance against Ohio State. Although a 46-yard miss proved costly in Penn State's 27-26 loss to the Buckeyes, he converted from 34 and 39 yards, and the coaches were pleased with how he kept his composure in a White Out game played in front of a record crowd. Said Franklin, "I can't imagine there were too many games in Ankeny, Iowa, that were similar to Beaver Stadium." Pinegar continued his critical contribu- tions the rest of the year, kicking field goals in every game except the loss to Michigan in early November. In the sea- son finale against Mary- land, Pinegar's role con- tinued to expand. He booted the first three kickoffs of his career for an average of 61.2 yards and also made his first tackle – a rather hard one at that. The way he drilled the return man, it almost looked like he used to play DB or something. And that's his story: an athlete in the truest sense, a jack of all trades. Now he's working to become an ace, and he's off to a good start. ■ IMPACT PLAYER Pinegar attempted only three field goals in Penn State's first four games, but he was much busier in the second half of the season. Going into the Citrus Bowl, the fresh- man kicker has hit 15 of 21 field goal attempts on the year. Photo by Steve Manuel