Is Jai Patel the best kicker to ever play at RU?
- Thread starter RU Cheese
- Start date
So ridiculous-he is 2 games into his college career.
Agreed. Rutgers Hall of Famer Kennan Startzell.
“The added wrinkle on offense this year is Kennan Startzell, a sideswiper who appears to be the first bonafide kicking specialist in the Knights history. A freshman, Startzell has impressed (Coach) Burns and his staff during the pre-season with a 50 yarder to his credit and his accuracy on both short and long range field goal tries. Startzell is the first kicker ever to be offered a scholarship for that sole purpose and will also handle kick-offs,” reported the September 9, 1976 Targum.
On Rutgers home victory over the UConn Huskies, “… The man on the special teams the crowd notices the most is kicker Kennan Startzell… the freshman hit five PATs and his fifth field goal of the season, the latter directly into a 35 mph wind… ‘Startzell has to be commended on his field goal,’” Burns said. ‘He really had to hit it well to get it through the wind, and he was kicking off the worst section of the field,” according to the October 12, 1976 Targum. “… later in the game, Burns sent Startzell in for an apparent 59 yard field goal attempt, but Startzell never got the chance as Rutgers was called for delay of the game and then punted… “With the wind at his back, he would have reached it. Whether he would have made it or not, I don’t know, “ Burns commented.
He's going to have the longest NFL career by a Knight ever. Will never be broken.