Senior Feature: Matt Hoenes
9/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 29, 2006
Editor's Note: This feature ran in the Sept. 2 (Murray State) game program.
by Shawn Davis, MU Media Relations Student Assistant
What if? That was the question Missouri punter Matt Hoenes was forced to ask when contemplating coming to Mizzou. What if he could get a chance to display his talent in front of 60,000 screaming fans rather than 600? What if he could play for a Division I school and make a daily impact? What if he never made the decision to come to Mizzou? Luckily for Matt and Tiger fans, they will never need to answer those questions. After spending a year at a small college in Nebraska, Hoenes decided to transfer to Mizzou and walk on as a punter.
"It never really crossed my mind coming out of high school, but after one semester I began thinking about Mizzou and coming back a little closer to home, and going a little bigger," Hoenes said. "If I hadn't have made that decision I would have always had the question mark, could I have done it?"
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Coming out of high school, Hoenes was an all-conference and all-district performer during his time at Branson (Mo.) High School, but saw little attention from Division I programs such as Missouri. He played three positions; running back, defensive back and, of course, punter. He holds the Branson record for longest run from scrimmage at 97 yards. Despite all of his records and accolades Hoenes' future hung in limbo due to the lack of offers. After accepting a scholarship to "a little school in Nebraska" as Hoenes put it, he began to wonder, "What if?" That is when Hoenes made a life changing decision; he realized that he wanted to be a Tiger.
During his first year at Mizzou, Hoenes knew he probably would not see time at running back or defensive back like he had in the past. He was here to do one thing, punt. When veteran punter Brock Harvey went down in the fourth game of the 2004 season, Hoenes finally got his chance.
"The first game I stepped out onto the field, and it was my first time being out on a field like that, with 60,000 people out there just going crazy," Hoenes said. "No one will get to experience things like we do, when you're in the stands it's one thing, but when you're down on the field it just surrounds you, it's amazing."
Throughout his career Hoenes has had to deal with the ups and downs of being a punter as he has battled to maintain the top spot on the depth chart. After losing the job two games into last season, Hones stayed positive and has battled his way back after a great spring and fall camp.
"I've had it and lost it and had it and lost it again," Hoenes said. "It's a little different now, I'm a senior and I had a good spring. I matured a lot mentally and I'm hoping that with that and the confidence I have and the ability that I have, I can get the job again."
While juggling the number one spot over the past two seasons Hoenes has put up some decent numbers, especially while filling in for Harvey for five games during the 2004 season. During the game against Texas, Hoenes was called upon to punt the ball eight times while booting one for 50 yards and a career long of 61, all while compiling an average of 42.5 yards per kick. Before being replaced by Adam Crossett last season after the second game, Hoenes put up great numbers in the season opener with an average of 42 yards on three punts. The game that might have cost him the starting job was against New Mexico when he punted twice netting an average of 11.5 yards. Hoenes has showed a remarkable ability to handle adversity during his time at Mizzou and still has a very positive view about his final season with the team.
"I think going into my last year it is going to be a lot different than the previous two years," Hoenes said. "I am really looking forward to it."
When dealing with the pressure of playing in front of thousands of fans every week, for just one play per drive, Hoenes has learned to stay cool under all that pressure. One might credit his golf game for giving him the calm nerves. In the summer of 2005, Hoenes was golfing at A.L Gustin Golf Course with three friends when he stepped up to the tee on the par-3, 10th hole with a four iron. Using his calm nerves he hit a hole-in-one.
"My roommate, who is a golfer here, gave me some free lessons and we were out with a couple of the other guys on the golf team and I just hit a good shot," Hoenes said. "I like to get out there with my roommate and just enjoy it and have fun."
Hoenes has seen a lot at Mizzou during his four years. He saw two wins against Nebraska. He saw one of the most amazing comebacks in bowl history last season, as well as getting the opportunity to travel to many different schools around the country. For Hoenes there is no "what if?" The decision to come to Mizzou not only gave him a chance to play the game he loves on a bigger stage, it gave him memories he can carry with him for the rest of his life.
"It was a great decision for me to come to Mizzou," Hoenes said. "I love the campus and I love the town. It's been great."
