Kickers don’t have to endure the physical pain of their teammates who block and tackle, but they experience enough emotional pain for an entire team.
Say hello to Missouri’s Andrew Baggett, who tied a school record with five field goals against Florida on Oct. 19, then thudded a game-tying 24-yard attempt off the upright last week to end the previously unbeaten Tigers’ double-overtime loss to South Carolina.
The Twitterverse fired insults at Baggett, but the sophomore avoided social media. “If I thought it was smooth sailing, I wouldn’t be a kicker. I’d be home watching TV or something,” he said in an Associated Press story.
Kentucky: In Saturday’s victory over Alabama State, Jalen Whitlow became the first Wildcats quarterback to run and pass for two touchdowns since Shane Boyd in 2004. The Wildcats also held the lead in a game for the first time since Sept. 7, in a 41-7 victory over Miami (Ohio).
Tennessee: Entering Saturday’s late game at No. 9 Missouri, the Volunteers had lost their last 18 road games against ranked opponents. The Vols’ last road win over a ranked foe was a 51-33 victory over No. 10 Georgia on Oct. 7, 2006, which also represents Tennessee’s last win over a top-10 foe. Tennessee had lost 11 straight SEC road games going into Columbia, Mo. … The Volunteers need two more victories to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2010. Left on the schedule: Auburn, Vanderbilt and a road game at Kentucky.
Vanderbilt: Kenny Ladler has been a picture of consistency for a unit plagued by inconsistency. But if the Commodores’ defense can reverse its SEC fortunes in November, the veteran free safety will play a major role in helping it do so.
Ladler, from Stephenson High School, leads the SEC in solo tackles (46) and forced fumbles (four), and ranks first on Vanderbilt and third in the SEC with 68 total tackles. He had 90 tackles last season.
“My season has been real active,” Ladler said. “I’ve been around the ball a lot. I’ve been pretty busy with a lot of tackles. But I couldn’t care less about stats. I want our defense to be putting our team in position for us to win.”
NUMBERS
15 Consecutive home wins for South Carolina, tying the best streak in school history, set from 1978-80. It was also the 38th win in a four-year period, matching the school record set by last year’s senior class.
