Some college football insiders thought that California running
back Marshawn Lynch would be the only Pac-10 player to generate any
Heisman buzz. But after four weeks of the season have elapsed, a
member of the UCLA football team is squashing that notion. It is
place kicker Justin Medlock.
Although some in the Bruin fan base have griped about the
Bruins’ ultra-conservative play calling early in the season,
the burn-out offensive series against Rice and Washington have
given Medlock a leg up on the other Heisman hopefuls.
The Bruins’ inability to turn first-and-goal situations
into touchdowns against Rice and Washington has led to a scorching
start for Medlock, a redshirt senior, who leads his team in scoring
with nine field goals on 10 attempts and seven extra points. On a
third-and-goal from the Huskies’ 10-yard line, the
Bruins’ ran a draw up the middle, allegedly to give Medlock
yet another attempt.
If so, the cavalier strategy could pay dividends come award
season.
The fact that UCLA has managed to register more field goals than
touchdown has put Medlock in Heisman contention.
Medlock, however, is trying to keep a modest profile, citing the
team’s loss to Washington as more important to him than any
personal success.
“I’m happy to kick extra points and long field
goals,” he said.
Punter Aaron Perez had credited Medlock’s early success to
his offseason workout regimen ““ it was fierce for any
football player.
“That guy has really pushed me in the offseason to
condition harder and increase the distance on my kicks,” said
Perez, who is averaging 38.0 yards on 11 punts.
Sure, UCLA’s loss at Washington on Sept. 25 ended any
thoughts of the Bruins going into Eugene and playing the Ducks with
a sparkling 5-0 record. But the would-be touchdowns have given
Medlock field goal attempts he wasn’t sniffing last season. A
breakdown of his scoring shows that he’s 2-2 on kicks 50
yards or more, an aspect of his game that has always been a
strength. In 2006, however, he is also 7-7 on kicks 39 yards or
closer.
Following UCLA’s loss to Washington, offensive guard
Shannon Tevaga said that the offense made Medlock “look like
a Heisman candidate today.” Since that day, the pre-season
All-American has taken a more skeptical view of Medlock’s
Heisman push.
“We will definitely be looking to give him a rest this
week (against Stanford) by putting more balls in the end
zone,” Tevaga said.
Despite Medlock’s performance, it is unclear whether the
UCLA athletic department will be promoting Medlock for any
postseason awards, the Heisman included.