Ex-Lions kicker struggles. Penn State transfer Anthony Fera, now kicking for Texas, missed a 41-yard attempt Saturday with about five minutes left that would have tied the game against West Virginia. The Longhorns ended up losing the game, 48-45.

Saturday was Fera's first game back after sitting out the first four with a groin injury. He had made a 38-yarder in the third quarter that gave the Longhorns a four-point lead over the Mountaineers.

"The last one was not a bad kick," Texas coach Mack Brown said of Fera's miss. "It was just off to the right."

As you can see, even Fera is trying to find his game again.

This being said, we all know that Sam Ficken had a horrible start to the year. If he had made one kick against UVa, we'd be 5-1. As we recall from that game, he was not put in a position to succeed by the execution of the offense, often trying to kick from the far hash, or a true freshmen forgetting to block the fastest guy on defense.

While I recognize that the story has to be told, I am tired of the WWL continuing to give the kid the beat down on every extra point, field goal attempt, even when PSU crosses the 50, they start to talk about it being 4 down territory because BOB doesn't trust the kid. Enough.

Here's his season stats:

3 of 9 FGs made: 0-1 under 20 yds; 2-3 20-29; 1-2 30-39; 0-3 over 40. His has made 2 from 21 yds and one from 32 yds.

19 of 21 EPs made: He missed 2 EPs, the famous one against UVa where Jesse James forgot to block the eventual blocker. He also missed one against Navy.

He's made 2 of his last 4 FGs, and 16 of his last 17 EPs.

I think we all realize that his leg will probably not win a game for us this year, especially when BOB won't let him try anything other than a chip shot or EP, but we have to believe that he has to be the best we have or BOB would be playing someone else. I have accepted that the only way he will kick a FG will be if it's 4th and goal from the behind the 10 yard line.

And no, Sam Ficken is not a relative or a friend, he's just a kid who was pressed into service probably before he was ready. Is it time to cut him some slack?