Ohio State football’s Jayden Fielding says he’s feeling confident after struggling in a loss vs. Michigan.
LOS ANGELES — A ball split the uprights, clearing the crossbar with ease, and crashed into the netting well beyond the target.
In most football settings, that’s not weird to see. Kickers make field goals all the time.
But this successful kick came Monday at Dignity Health Sports Park – the site of Ohio State’s pre-Rose Bowl practice. It came off the foot of Jayden Fielding who unleashed the kick from 57 yards away.
The Buckeyes’ kicker is clearly capable of being a weapon. That was also evident on Oct. 12 when he connected on 40-yard kick in a 32-31 loss against Oregon.
However, heading into Wednesday’s rematch with the Ducks, his ability has become a question.
Fielding has missed his last three attempts, including a pair in Ohio State’s three-point loss against Michigan last month.
His confidence hasn’t wavered, though.
“Playing at Ohio State, playing on the biggest stage every game, there’s always going to be backlash,” Fielding told cleveland.com on Monday. “There’s always going to be people saying what they want to say. You just have to deal with it. It’s part of the job.”
Ohio State coach Ryan Day was asked directly about his trust in Fielding after an Oct. 26 win against Nebraska. It proved inconsequential, but Fielding poorly missed a 42-yard attempt.
Day reaffirmed his trust in the kicker.
A similar question was raised after the Michigan loss. The College Football Playoff was on the horizon, giving reason to wonder if the Buckeyes would turn to backup Austin Snyder.
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But this successful kick came Monday at Dignity Health Sports Park – the site of Ohio State’s pre-Rose Bowl practice. It came off the foot of Jayden Fielding who unleashed the kick from 57 yards away.
The Buckeyes’ kicker is clearly capable of being a weapon. That was also evident on Oct. 12 when he connected on 40-yard kick in a 32-31 loss against Oregon.
However, heading into Wednesday’s rematch with the Ducks, his ability has become a question.
Fielding has missed his last three attempts, including a pair in Ohio State’s three-point loss against Michigan last month.
His confidence hasn’t wavered, though.
“Playing at Ohio State, playing on the biggest stage every game, there’s always going to be backlash,” Fielding told cleveland.com on Monday. “There’s always going to be people saying what they want to say. You just have to deal with it. It’s part of the job.”
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Ohio State coach Ryan Day was asked directly about his trust in Fielding after an Oct. 26 win against Nebraska. It proved inconsequential, but Fielding poorly missed a 42-yard attempt.
Day reaffirmed his trust in the kicker.
A similar question was raised after the Michigan loss. The College Football Playoff was on the horizon, giving reason to wonder if the Buckeyes would turn to backup Austin Snyder.
Day again reaffirmed his trust, saying Ohio State wouldn’t have had Fielding attempting kicks vs. Michigan if the staff didn’t have confidence he could make them.
“It means a lot,” Fielding said. “It’s definitely helped me trying to bounce back from that. They’ve really helped instill a good amount of confidence back into me. Hearing that from the head man really helps.”
Fielding’s only attempt vs. Tennessee in the first round of the CFP was a lofty one. In cold conditions, he was asked to make a 56-yard try at the end of the first half.
He missed poorly.
The Rose Bowl, barring any surprising wind gusts, provides an environment fit for a kicker. There will be few excuses for Fielding – that is if Ohio State gives him an opportunity.
“I feel like I’ve had a really good month of game prep,” Fielding said. “I feel like before Tennessee week it was really good for me. I feel like this week it’s once again really good for me. It really just helps having all the guys back you up, too.”
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