Injury forces Jack Cantele back into action as K-State’s kicker
Matthew McCrane replaced Jack Cantele as Kansas State’s kicker a year ago when Cantele struggled with accuracy problems against Auburn.
The demotion was not easy for Cantele to handle, especially when McCrane made kick after kick to maintain the top spot on the depth chart, but Cantele stayed ready in case the Wildcats needed him.
On Saturday, they needed him. He delivered. Cantele converted all three of his field goals, with distances of 21 yards, 27 yards and 29 yards.
“It felt good to be back out there,” said Cantele, a Wichita native.
McCrane was unable to kick after he suffered an injury on an extra point in the first half. A UTSA defender collided with his leg, and he limped the rest of the afternoon.
Cantele expects McCrane to return soon, but he will stay ready in case his team needs him.
“I didn’t have any nerves today,” Cantele said. “When Matthew told me to get loose I just got loose and was ready to go. It was just like practice.”
▪ Texas-San Antonio coach Larry Coker thought penalties killed any chance the Roadrunners had at victory.
They were flagged 12 times for 92 yards.
“We had some drops, way too many penalties,” Coker said. “You have penalties like that, you’re not going to win. And then we missed some blocks. All in all, I think the best team won today.”
▪ Injured quarterback Jesse Ertz traveled with the team and watched the game in sweats. He was joined by senior safety Dante Barnett, who missed the game with an injured shoulder, and Stanton Weber, who missed the game for unspecified reasons.
▪ Guests at Saturday’s game included Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby and NFL scouts from the Texans, Browns, Chargers, Panthers and Patriots.
To reach Kellis Robinett, send email to krobinett@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @KellisRobinett.
This story was originally published September 12, 2015 at 7:15 PM with the headline "Injury forces Jack Cantele back into action as K-State’s kicker."