Rayner Continues Michigan State's Kicking Tradition
11/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan State has produced its share of NFL placekickers.
Morten Andersen, an ageless wonder at 44, still lines up for the Minnesota Vikings in his 23rd season in the league.
Paul Edinger, a relative newcomer, is in his fifth season with the Chicago Bears.
Dave Rayner, who last week became the Spartans' all-time leading scorer, wants to join that elite company. And he may get that opportunity.
"As I get older, I find myself watching different kickers and watching the techniques they have," said Rayner, rattling off a list of the NFL's best. "I'd like to go to the next level, so I try to learn from all of them."
Rayner, a senior from Oxford, Mich., has been one most reliable players for the Spartans (4-5, 3-3 Big Ten), who host No. 4 Wisconsin (9-0, 6-0) on Saturday.
Rayner's four field goals last week against Ohio State gave him 59 for his career. That tops John Langeloh's record of 57, set from 1987 to 1990.
Rayner has 312 career points, breaking Langeloh's record of 308. Rayner had kicked his way past Edinger and Andersen earlier this season.
Rayner -- a 6-foot-2, 209-pounder -- has good range. He connected on a 53-yarder against Ohio State to tie his career long, and it would have been good from at least another five yards away. He missed a 54-yarder that had plenty of distance but pushed just wide right.
Rayner is 7-of-17 from 50-plus yards in his career. And his kickoffs, depending on the wind, routinely wind up in the endzone -- or out the back end.
"Does he have a chance (to play in the NFL?) You bet he does," said Michigan State coach John L. Smith. "He's got a big-time leg."
Accuracy is also a benefit. Rayner has converted 18-of-21 field goal attempts from less than 50 yards this season, and he's made 63 consecutive PATs -- a streak dating back to last season.
Rayner was listed among the nation's top five kickers by several preseason publications and is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, presented annually to the nation's top collegiate placekickers.
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has rated Rayner among the best kickers eligible for the next NFL draft, a list that includes Ohio State's Mike Nugent, Maryland's Nick Novak and Brigham Young's Matt Payne.
Rayner has combined with sophomore punter Brandon Fields to give Michigan State one of the best kicking combinations in the country. Fields, also Rayner's holder, leads the nation with a 48.56 yards-per-punt average.
Rayner also benefits from Smith, who coaches the Spartan special teams. Smith urges Rayner to work on his mental focus, which must be sharp to survive at football's highest levels.
"He's got to develop more tunnel vision," Smith said. "He has to make every kick his most important kick."
A last-minute, game-winning kick is the one piece missing from Rayner's personal portfolio at Michigan State. But he's only had one opportunity, and that one wasn't quite fair -- a 51-yard attempt into a gusty, menacing wind at Michigan on Oct. 30.
The kick fell short, and Rayner swears it would have been good had he been kicking in the other direction. The Spartans eventually lost in triple overtime.
Rayner is hoping for an opportunity to win one for the Spartans this Saturday against the unbeaten Badgers in his last home game.
"I have no regrets here," Rayner said. "I'm happy with my performance and my career here. And I may get an opportunity at one yet."
By TIM MARTIN, The Associated Press
