Here's a fun kicker fact for you:

[MSUDC11]

We have not made a single field goal of 50 yards or more since 2002.

Not. One.

Brent Smith against Tennessee 15 years ago was the most recent one (53 yarder).

Dear gosh I hope either Tucker Day or Evan McPherson (2018 commit) can give us someone competent between the two of them.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

That's crazy. I was there for that game. 53 yarder right before the half. The crowd went crazy.

 

[wasabaka]

That is mind-boggling and absolutely depressing.

 

[HD6]

Well in fairness, Mullen's offense can move the ball, and Croom's couldn't cross midfield, so how many attempts is it?

 

[The Usual Suspect]

More depressing, I saw a kid in my son's high school kick a 57 yarder a couple of years ago, and I don't think he had major offers.

 

[MSUDC11]

Well in fairness, Mullen's offense can move the ball, and Croom's couldn't cross midfield, so how many attempts is it?

We have only ATTEMPTED six kicks of 50 yards or more in the entire Mullen and Croom eras combined. For comparison's sake, Daniel Carlson from Auburn is 9-13 from 50 yards or more in the last three years. I realize that's one of the better kickers in league history, but he had more long range attempts last season alone than all of Mullen's kickers have had COMBINED in eight years.

Think of all the times we've had to go for it on 4th down in no man's land or punt from inside the 40 because we knew we had zero chance of making a field goal. Everyone remembers the infamous punt from the 30 at Georgia in 2006.

 

[KurtRambis4]

In high school

kids get to use tees, which is a whole different animal. It's like the difference by college and pro bats for baseball.

 

[Coast Dawg]

what about less?

I'm afraid to ask but what is our percent made from 35-50 during that time? That should be more critical... 50+ is great but shouldn't be counted on

 

[The Usual Suspect]

kids get to use tees, which is a whole different animal. It's like the difference by college and pro bats for baseball.

Not doubting you, but I would not bet $10 that our kickers last 4 years could hit a 57 yarder with same tee.

 

[MSUDC11]

I'm afraid to ask but what is our percent made from 35-50 during that time? That should be more critical... 50+ is great but shouldn't be counted on

We have made roughly 64% of our field goals in the Croom and Mullen eras (2004-now). The national average for FG percentage in 2016 was 75%.

We only made 58% of our kicks last year (not even Mullen's worst kicking year, sadly. We only made 48% of our field goals in 2013).

So not only have we had zero long range field goals, we're well below average from short to medium range also.

 

[aTotal360]

When you know you can't make'em, you go for it.