Mizzou Assistant Coach Andy Hill Talks Special Teams
9/20/2018 3:04:00 PM | Football
McCann's maturation a big reason why he is making game-winning kicks
Last week was a good one for Mizzou's special teams unit at Purdue. Junior K Tucker McCann was a Lou Groza Star of the Week after kicking a game-winning, 25-yard field goal as time expired as one of four field goals in a 40-37 shootout win over the Boilermakers.
McCann's coach, Mizzou special teams coordinator Andy Hill, had high praise for the Tiger junior when he met with reporters this week. He was especially complimentary of the strides that McCann has taken in his game since his freshman season.
"He did a great job. He's really focused", Hill said. "He kicked off a bunch and had five field goal attempts. He really kicked the ball well in all facets that night and I thought he was really dialed in coming to the game. We had one block right before halftime, so to be able to come back and overcome that at the very end of the game is really positive."
McCann has turned things around mentally since his freshman year. Hitting those 45- to 50-yarders now, McCann has worked hard to get to where he is now and has fixed things he struggled with when he arrived at Mizzou.
"He's always had the leg, but he's never really had the full confidence. I think the big thing now is his full confidence," said Hill. "He had a great year last year and built upon that in the off-season with his work ethic. Corey Fatony has set the standard for a couple years now within the group. He's (McCann) worked very hard and now has the confidence to make every one (field goal)."
Hill also explained some of the things that other players on the special teams unit do to make sure Tucker has the chance to make that big kick and walk off the field in West Lafayette with a victory.
"On and off just within the season, we've had missed snaps, a kicked block, etc.", Hill explains. "LS Drew Wise has done a great job snapping the ball and P Corey Fatony, our holder as well, is really good at holding. With all the pressure, a time out gives you time to think so it's really what you're saying to yourself in your head. If you look at what Tucker did, he was saying the right things.
Mizzou will take on Georgia this Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPN.
