rexvol
The Minister of Defense
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From the field: Wednesday
Urban Meyer slammed his hat to the turf, looked at senior kicker Joey Ijjas and yelled, "Free ride."
Suddenly, Ijjas found himself starring down the biggest kick of his life during Wednesday's football practice " a 52-yard field goal attempt with a full scholarship to the University of Florida on the line.
Should he make it, Ijjas would fulfill a dream. Miss it, and who knows?
Ijjas, who only had a few seconds to consider the ramifications of the kick, didn't waver. The Clearwater native sent the long field goal sailing right down the middle of the uprights, instantly transforming himself into a scholarship kicker.
"It was very exciting," Ijjas said. "Something I've been working for for a long time."
Ijjas was showered with congratulations from teammates after practice and also received some praise from the coach who put him on the spot.
"He's going to kick in the first game," Meyer said. "He had a hell of a day today. He's earned it. I'm happy for Joey."
While practice was closed to the public and media, Ijjas exploits were told by former Gators kicker Judd Davis, who was on hand to watch Florida's workout. Davis said Ijjas was 6-for-6 on kicks Wednesday.
Ijjas walked on at Florida after spending his freshman season kicking at East Carolina. He handled Florida's kick-off duties last season, but has yet to attempt a field goal for the Gators.
Ijjas said the pressure of Wednesday's kick in practice was good preparation for the pressure he might face during the season.
"It doesn't matter how good you are if you can't kick it under pressure," Ijjas sai
Urban Meyer slammed his hat to the turf, looked at senior kicker Joey Ijjas and yelled, "Free ride."
Suddenly, Ijjas found himself starring down the biggest kick of his life during Wednesday's football practice " a 52-yard field goal attempt with a full scholarship to the University of Florida on the line.
Should he make it, Ijjas would fulfill a dream. Miss it, and who knows?
Ijjas, who only had a few seconds to consider the ramifications of the kick, didn't waver. The Clearwater native sent the long field goal sailing right down the middle of the uprights, instantly transforming himself into a scholarship kicker.
"It was very exciting," Ijjas said. "Something I've been working for for a long time."
Ijjas was showered with congratulations from teammates after practice and also received some praise from the coach who put him on the spot.
"He's going to kick in the first game," Meyer said. "He had a hell of a day today. He's earned it. I'm happy for Joey."
While practice was closed to the public and media, Ijjas exploits were told by former Gators kicker Judd Davis, who was on hand to watch Florida's workout. Davis said Ijjas was 6-for-6 on kicks Wednesday.
Ijjas walked on at Florida after spending his freshman season kicking at East Carolina. He handled Florida's kick-off duties last season, but has yet to attempt a field goal for the Gators.
Ijjas said the pressure of Wednesday's kick in practice was good preparation for the pressure he might face during the season.
"It doesn't matter how good you are if you can't kick it under pressure," Ijjas sai
