BOULDER — Perhaps Aric Goodman’s new outlook on life, an awakening of sorts derived while he recovered from potentially career- ending hip surgery, will enable the fifth-year senior to snap out of a two-year funk and finally give Colorado some consistency on field goals.
Following Saturday’s scrimmage, CU coach Dan Hawkins named Goodman the starting place-kicker for the season opener against Colorado State. A former Cherry Creek High School standout and transfer from Wyoming, Goodman has made just 15-for-32 field goals during two seasons as a starter for the Buffaloes.
Meanwhile, CU’s opponents went 37-for-48 in those games.
“I feel confident this year is going to be a lot different,” Goodman said Saturday. “Doctors (after the surgery in March) didn’t give me much of a shot to kick this season. They said the hip would be OK, but they didn’t think I’d get enough strength in the leg.
“Fortunately, I have an opportunity. I’m treating every day like it’s a gift. I have to go out and make the most of it.”
Goodman had a labral tear in his right hip repaired just before spring practice. He began kicking again in early July.
The place-kicking position might have been Colorado’s last position battle leading to Saturday’s game against CSU at Invesco Field at Mile High. Goodman was challenged by true freshman Justin Castor (Arvada West) and walk-on junior Marcus Kirkwood (soccer at Faith Christian).
Following the scrimmage, junior quarterback Tyler Hansen said Goodman “had better step up. We’re tired of driving down the field and you missing the kick. It destroys the morale of the team.
“Last year he missed (two) kicks against Nebraska and it was the first time I actually blew up on him on the sideline,” Hansen added. “I got after him a little bit. I felt bad about it later. But those were valuable points.”
Hansen added that Goodman “is a great guy and we all love him” and that Hansen and the team is pulling for Goodman to succeed. Goodman was 10-for-18 on field goals in 2009.
When informed of Hansen’s comments, Goodman said he was not offended.
“That doesn’t put any pressure on me,” Goodman said. “I feel like I can make every kick. I think it will all come together this year.”
Footnotes. The scrimmage featured the No. 1 offense and defense going against the scout team, which imitated CSU’s formations. According to accounts of the closed scrimmage, junior receiver Toney Clemons (from Hansen) and senior wideout Travon Patterson (from Cody Hawkins) each had long touchdown catches. . . . Asked if his unit was ready to play its season opener right now, defensive coordinator Ron Collins said, “We’re happy with where we are, but we have a lot of things to shore up.”
