Everyone is expecting a close game with a lot of points from both teams on Sunday when USC plays LSU in Las Vegas in both teams’ season opener. It is very possible this game might be decided by a field goal late in the fourth quarter. The question is, who will line up to kick that possible game winner?
Last year Trojan kicker Denis Lynch handled the kicking duties in all 13 games. He was 65-of-66 (98.4%) on extra points and 10-of-14 (71.4%) on field goals. Lynch’s issues were not on the long field goals from 40-53 yards, going 3-for-3. At Arizona State he split the uprights from 53 yards, the third longest field goal in Trojan history, but he struggled by missing four attempts inside the 40-yard line.
In the offseason, the Lincoln Riley added Michael Lantz, a transfer kicker from Georgia Southern. Last year for the Eagles, Lantz was 23-of-28 (82.1%) with a long of 48 yards. Lantz’s school record 23 made field goals put him on the Trojan radar. Riley explained that the competition was tight during fall camp and it will continue between the two kickers.
Here is what Riley had to say about the kicking situation going into the game with the Tigers:
Lance will will start off for us. He’ll be the field goal kicker and also handle the kickoffs. It’s been a really good competition. One that’ll continue to be ongoing throughout the year. We’ve got some unique skill sets in there with Lance, with Dennis, with Eddie. A couple of these young guys have come along and done some really nice things. We’ve got some really talented young kickers in the program, but Mike will get the start on Sunday.
With Lantz getting the nod in Game 1, and a capable backup in Lynch being available just in case, the Trojans should be confident if the game comes down to a last-minute field goal or overtime.
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