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.