Georgia alternated between kickers Blair Walsh and Brandon Bogotay in Saturday’s win over New Mexico State, and that arrangement could continue for the rest of the season.
“I don’t know, we’ll have to go back and look [at the film],” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “It worked pretty good today, so we might.”
Walsh was a finalist for an award for the nation’s top kicker last season, but has fallen into a senior slump, making only 13 of 23 field-goal attempts, including two misses against Florida.
“As we know, Walsh had been struggling, and Bogotay is a very talented guy,” Richt said. “We felt like we wanted to give him an opportunity to do what he can do, and for Walsh to continue because he’s a great player. So we went into the game deciding that we’re going to alternate every kickoff and PAT or field-goal attempt.”
Saturday’s rotation seemed to go OK, although neither kicker attempted to make a field goal. They alternated on kickoffs and combined for nine extra points.
“I thought they both did great,” Richt said. “We actually did that [alternating] all week in practice. It was a really competitive situation, and that competition brings out the best in people. I thought it did in practice, and I thought it did on the field here today.”
Bogotay saw the playing field for the first time since kicking off twice against Coastal Carolina. He also appeared for one play against South Carolina, attempting an onside kick.
“They wanted to see how I could hang out there,” Bogotay said. “We had a little competition this week, and we both did well. You know, Blair is a great kicker. I support him 100 percent. We’re good buddies, and we just want what is best for the team. If that’s both of us kicking, we’re for it.”
Bogotay was a last-minute addition to Georgia’s recruiting class in 2009, signing out of a California junior college to handle kickoffs for the Bulldogs. However, Bogotay has played very little over the past three seasons. Because of Walsh’s struggles, he may finally get a chance.
“I want to get out there and play, but at the same time I don’t want for him [Walsh] to fall for me to rise,” said Bogotay, who was careful with his words to avoid hurting the feelings of his buddy, Walsh.
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