Harris critics have nothing to kick about
Of all the players on the UConn football roster, only one has been, in a statistical sense, absolutely perfect through the team’s first two games: kicker Clay Harris.
After a preseason competition that left him as the Huskies’ starter, Harris has drilled all four of his field-goal attempts, plus all five of his extra points. UConn called on the field-goal unit three times against Illinois, and all three times Harris delivered three points.
Asked Tuesday whether Harris had locked down his role on field goals, coach Randy Edsall offered a vote of (relative) confidence.
“He’s our kicker, and as long as he continues to produce just like everybody else, he’ll stay our kicker,” Edsall said. “Sometimes in practice he’s not as consistent maybe as you’d like, but when you look at what he did in the game, that’s what you go by.”
Before arriving at UConn last fall, Harris enjoyed a standout kicking career in Havre de Grace, Md., where he tied state high school records for field goals in a season (13) and in a single game (4). While in high school, he worked with former UConn punter Desi Cullen, who works as a kicking coach in the area.
Harris says Cullen helped with technique, as well as recruiting.
“I started training with him spring going into my senior year, and he just elevated my game with technique and everything,” Harris said. “He had a few connections up here. I got up here on a visit in late April and committed in May.”
Harris appeared in two games last year as a true freshman, converting his only field goal