Given Johnsons lengthy collegiate career and offensive knowledge he played under multiple coaches and coordinators he seems like a good guy to have around as a reserve. The Basketball Postseason Is Here | JMU Sports News Podcast, The Spring has Sprung | JMU Sports News Podcast, Men's Basketball is Back! JMU defeated App State yesterday, 32-28, after falling behind 28-3 in the second quarter and storming back with 22 unanswered points in the second half. The Dukes are so mighty that they have outgrown the division and will move up to join the Sun Belt Conference and the Football Bowl Subdivision by 2023. One of them, senior Tribe safety Gage Herdman, was ejected after being flagged for targeting on a Johnson first-half scramble. Ratke only served as the kickoff specialist for one year, as kickoff duties were handled by former JMU kicker Tyler Gray in 2018, redshirt sophomore Connor Madden in 2020 and redshirt sophomore Camden Wise in 2019 and 2021. Sports Editor Grant Johnson and Breeze TV Anchor Joshua Dixon go inside the fan and on-field environment in Boone, North Carolina, and what it meant to the JMU players to have the support it did on the road. If you watch every single one of our operations from the time we walk out there to the time we leave, every single kick weve done, they look identical even down to the little handshakes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We break down the Sun Belt Men's and Women's Tournament and take a look across the world of spring sports. Well, not every time. Check out the massive spreadsheet now, 10 Players Who Will Dominate the 2023 NFL Combine. Dallas Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein played for two different Division II programs University of Nebraska-Omaha and Missouri Western before he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. Annalicia Goodman shines in Dukes' win over Tribe, 67-39. Darts and Pats is the place to do it. Teams [ edit] Its a possibility if both sides were willing.. The hope with a late-round pick is that they can either eventually push for playing time or provide consistent services as a backup. Caleb Shudak is proof that height is not a great indicator of leg strength. JMU, by the end of the 2017 regular season, hadnt lost in 23 outings dating back to the previous September. Ratke had kicks of 30, 37 and 47 yards . . JMU football opened the season with two large home crowds, and with Family Weekend sold out, JMU Athletics is continuing its upward trend of ticket sales. He used to be the most superstitious person in the world, Davis said. Success! One kicker got drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft in April and six were signed as undrafted free agents all from Power 5 programs. High 67F. PUBLISHED: October 14, 2018 at 4:45 a.m. | UPDATED: December 12, 2018 at 1:21 p.m. D'Angelo Amos returned two punts of more than 80 yards for touchdowns, Ethan Ratke kicked three field goals. He got new cleats every year at JMU, but he was big on keeping the same pair every year. Its Dec. 8, 2017. Sports editor Savannah Reger shares her experiences and what it was like to cover everything this season. Error! Thats 81 kicks and 77 makes a success rate of 95.1 percent. From Major Media Outlets to NFL Team Personnel. Next: The Dukes wrap up their regular season at home against Towson. 7-for-7 from 40-49 yards, 4-for-6 from 50+, long of 51. But if Johnson cant steer the offense into the end zone, watch the operation come onto the field from the home sideline Davis up to the line, Miller doing the same handshake with his kicker, Ratke with the boot. Our top kicker prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the best place kickers in college football. Find your friends on Facebook. We want to be perfect. There was a problem saving your notification. The Tribe host Richmond in their usual season-ending rivalry game. JMU won. 4-for-6 from 40-49 yards, 5-for-7 from 50+, long of 56. Hes also knocked through 176 PATs during his JMU career. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Cloudy in the evening, then off and on rain showers after midnight. Since NFL games average more spectators than FCS games, scouts may have concerns about Ratkes lack of experience in high-pressure environments. We are powered by Three Notch'd and BetOnline. If a pair of teams like him, theres a good chance a few others may as well. Andrew Mevis, Iowa State - Round Grade: PFA, 7. Darts and Pats is the place to do it. JMU sixth-year, graduate long snapper Kyle Davis is wrapping up his last year as a Duke after starting in purple and gold for four years and serving as "the glue," as former JMU punter Harry O'Kelly (2017-21) called it, of the Dukes' special teams unit for multiple seasons. The 2022 NFL Draft will be here before we know it which means that it is time to get ready for what lies ahead. VILLANOVA, Pa. D'Angelo Amos returned two punts of more than 80 yards for touchdowns, Ethan Ratke kicked three field goals and James Madison rebounded from a stinging loss with a 37-0 shutout . That doesnt mean its impossible for Ratke to make it to the NFL: Arguably the greatest NFL kicker of all time, Adam Vinatieri, attended the FCS South Dakota State. More than that: Ratke is just five points behind the FBS scoring leader for any position, former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, and just 19 points behind the FCS scoring leader for any position, former Villanova running back Brian Westbrook. When Ratke was the main kickoff specialist, he averaged 60.5 yards on 56 attempts, including 15 touchbacks. Why are we including a section on a kicker who never made a field goal of 50 yards or longer in an NFL Draft story? His confidence has certainly rubbed off on me.. Cloudy. We were in position to really dominate, and they made a few plays in the second half. I hear about it from other guys all the time. Error! ESPN reported that the Los Angeles Chargers had the lowest attendance of all NFL teams in 2019 with an average of 31,750 fans over 11,000 more than JMU. Bench press isnt everything, though, and there are likely valid questions about whether Greenes production at the FCS level could translate in some capacity to the NFL. Copyright 2021 WHSV. He wasnt used nearly as much as York or Brkic from 50+, but Dicker still has solid leg strength and an ability to consistently hit kicks from that range. Nick Sciba, Wake Forest - Round Grade: PFA, 6. He didnt wear the new pair all week. While that strategy might make sense in college, its a waste of a roster spot in the NFL. Gabe Brkic is a big (63" 200) kicker who burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2019 with a 17-for-17 season. New Orleans, Washington and Detroit have each used four different kickers. Ive played in rainy games and games where were down and games where were scoring a lot and kicking a whole lot.. Former Georgia star Jalen Carter, one of the top prospects in next month's NFL draft, has been charged with reckless driving and racing in conjunction with the crash that killed a teammate and a recruiting staff member. In 2019 and 2020, the Dukes had players (Jimmy Moreland and Ben DiNucci) taken in the seventh round of their respective draft years. When youre playing a good team like that, you have to minimize all the things that can cause you to lose or be detrimental to your opportunities to be successful, Tribe coach Mike London said. Ryan Coe had a 51-yard field goal for the Blue Hens and Zach Gwynn found James Collins for a 26-yard touchdown. Now they are completely confident in each other. He made a 48-yarder last year and a 47-yarder this year. Ratke's third field goal the longest in JMU postseason history capped . Only 10 of this years 49 NFL kickers have made all of their extra points this season, five of whom have attempted at least 15 extra points. JMU's women's soccer defense is locking down offenses season, allowing just four goals in 11 games and zero in its three Sun Belt Conference games. Draft projection: Undrafted free agent. According to an article published by Zach Miller on Medium, JMU averaged 20,017 spectators from 2015 to 2019 the third highest at the FCS level during that time. While Ratke has been a reliable kicker for the Dukes, he hasnt a made a lot of long field goals. Prior to enrolling at LSU, York attended the high . With JMU-record six FGs, Ethan Ratke (Atlee High) sets two NCAA marks in W at W&M Presented By Just In Morrissey, estranged wife trade allegations in public rift With JMU-record six FGs, Ethan. He didnt get too many chances to show his leg strength in college games, but he impressed with a 54 yarder in game this year. It includes Georgias Kevin Butler, the only place-kicker in the College Football Hall of Fame. I try to keep it out of my mind., Six PATs would have been preferable to six FGs, in Ratkes estimation. Chandler Staton, Appalachian State - Round Grade: PFA, 9. The NCAA has issued guidelines for schools, but boosters like Miamis John Ruiz arent worried. Four of the 33 NFL kickers whove attempted a field goal in 2022 are products of the FCS or lower division schools, or schools that were FCS for the beginning of their college careers. Reliable Ratke remains a consistent performer for Dukes, Dog found dead under suspicious circumstances, SCSO says, ACSO looking for suspicious man in the Weyers Cave area, Pilot identified in fatal plane crash near Hillsville, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. John Marshall boys basketball reclaims No. Ratke also earned the 2021 Fred Mitchell Award, which is given to the best kicker at the FCS, Division II and Division III levels. Michigan finally did. Andrew Mevis is a transfer from FCS school Fordham, where he rarely had the opportunity to kick field goals other than in 2019. Jake Larson 22 Yd Field Goal: 0:00: James Madison field goal. The kick splits the uprights, and JMU wins 31-28 to advance to the FCS semifinals. There was a problem saving your notification. JMU limited W&M to 80 first-half yards and led 23-0 late in the third quarter. After both teams scored two touchdowns in the first 15 minutes, it looked like it might be a game for James Madison kicker Ethan Ratke, who booted field goals of 44 and 42 yards in the second. The Dukes and Monarchs mens soccer tied 0-0 despite each team accumulating over 12 shots. In the 2021 season, Ratke went seven of eight on field goals between 30 and 39 yards and eight of nine on field goals of 40 yards or more. The final record that is on the line entering November may not be decided until the FCS Playoffs. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. He hit 5-of-7 from 50+ this past season, and offers consistent mechanics with a confident strike. Then came the first test in his new cleats: A 46-yard game-winning field goal attempt, with JMUs 24-game win streak and the FCS semifinals on the line. NEWARK, Del. Hes got the leg speed and consistent mechanics that you look for in a place kicker, with plenty of experience kicking in big games. Sometimes we break it down before games, our little specialist huddle, before we take the field, Lets be perfect today. We approach every single kick, snap and hold that it could be the changing play of the game.. Ethan Ratke, James Madison - Round Grade: PFA 8. Sports Editor Madison Hricik details the the comeback, rooted in messaging from JMU head coach Curt Cignetti and graduate transfer quarterback Todd Centeio. NFL kickers are struggling early in 2022. All 10 FBS commissioners are unanimous in their support for three proposed rules changes that aim to shorten the length of college football games, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips told ESPN. Nov 17, 2021 by Kyle Kensing Prior to Elon's 37-14 defeat of Towson, Skyler Davis gave a bold proclamation to Phoenix coach Tony Trisciani. With all these accolades to his name, Ratke has proven that he should get a chance at the NFL level. High 67F. Ratke got the cleats they had in the back from JMU as a redshirt freshman in 2017. Hes a versatile lineman who dominated FCS foes for much of his career. So the main thing is just focusing on the next kick.. 2021 was a hectic year from the start to the end, JMU athletics constantly provided notabl, JMU football had a strong third quarter in its matchup with North Dakota State but ultimately fell to the Bison 20-14. He said hes kicking 3-4 times a week. 53 (yards) maybe, said Ratke. JMU defeated App State 32-28 after overcoming an 18-point first-half deficit in its first Sun Belt Conference game in program history. After: James Madison went into halftime ahead 38-13 after three turnovers a Cole Kelley fumble and two interceptions led to two one-play touchdown drives and an Ethan Ratke 25-yard field goal. The Dukes failed to follow through on some drives, but that gave sixth-year senior Ethan Ratke (Atlee High) the opportunity to kick a JMU-record six field goals each from 23 to 30 yards and established two NCAA records. Ratke overtook kickoff duties, made 4-of-5 field goals and all extra points in his first four full games. The sixth-largest crowd in Kidd Brewer Stadium history quieted Saturday at the end of JMUs first drive versus Appalachian State. George Bray. Hes a short stepper with a quick kick and decent elevation, while maintaining above average accuracy. For JMU, the field goal 6:50 into the game by redshirt junior kicker Camden Wise signified something more than a fleeting lull at The Rock. It was the first made field goal by a JMU kicker other than Ethan Ratke (2016-21) since Nov. 17, 2018, versus No. Despite the attendance disparity, kickers from lower divisions of college football have found success in the NFL. - Kicker Ethan Ratke converted a JMU single-game record five field goals and James Madison's defense forced three turnovers and limited #23 Delaware to 109 total yards en route to a 22-10 Colonial Athletic Association football win on Saturday afternoon at Delaware Stadium. Caleb Shudak, Iowa St - Round Grade: PFA, 10. Ratke said it was because he always dragged his right foot. On December 8, 2013, Broncos placekicker Matt Prater hits on a 64-yard field goal towards the conclusion of the first half. That was the moment Ratke solidified his place in JMU football history. T. Ethan Ratke talks with Dave Thomas. 13-for-15 FG, 49-for-50 XP. Ratke felt he had to keep his pair. Fornadel was mentioned as an NFL prospect early in his JMU career, given his blend of size and production. The Dukes (9-1, 6-1 CAA), headed to the FBS, track toward their last CAA title. Prior to enrolling at LSU, York attended the high school All American game where he hit a 59 yard field goal in game. Former JMU punter Harry OKelly (2017-21) said Ratke was superstitious about them. The left side of his right cleat was lined with openings, starting at his big toe. That doesnt mean an opportunity cant present itself, especially if missed kicks in the clutch continue this NFL season. 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