Price needs to be right to replace punter Kinney

BOULDER» Colorado punter Alex Kinney has turned punt placement into a bit of an art form during his career with the Buffaloes.

With the senior captain now sidelined with a broken collarbone, Davis Price will attempt to follow Kinney’s lead.

“It’s like when you’re in little league and the guy before you hits a home run and then you have to bat next,” Price joked Monday. “That’s how I always feel punting after Alex.”

Kinney broke his collarbone while making a tackle on a first quarter punt return during CU’s 3328 win at Nebraska on Saturday. Up to that point, he had handled every CU punt from the start of 2015.

On the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, Kinney had his best year as a junior and set a school record with 28 punts downed inside the opponents’ 20yard line.

Price, CU’s kickoff specialist since last season, replaced Kinney and punted four times against the Cornhuskers. Those were his first punts in a game since he was Evergreen High School’s punter/kicker during the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

“I probably should have warmed up a little more with punting before the game, but it all ended up working out,” said Price, who averaged 40.8 yards against Nebraska.

Going forward, Price said he’s eager for the opportunity to play a bigger role with the Buffs.

“Last year at this time, I would have been a lot less comfortable,” he said. “I’ve been working on punting a lot throughout fall camp. The adrenaline kicked in (Saturday) and once I got on the field, I felt pretty comfortable, especially with (snapper J.T. Bale). He’s been snapping to me for a few years now.”

While Price may not be the same type of weapon Kinney has been with his punt placement, CU head coach Mike MacIntyre has full confidence in the former walkon, who was placed on scholarship last month.

“That was a gigantic role to fit (at Nebraska) and he did a great job at it,” MacIntyre said. “Davis is able to do the Aussie punt. He’s (now) got to do it in the game. Alex is just so good at it, but Davis will do well. Let’s hope he does as good as Alex.”