12-27-2015, 11:23 PM
Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson will square off against fellow Lou Groza finalist Jake Elliott of Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl.
Daniel Carlson and Memphis kicker Jake Elliott have become quite familiar with each other in recent weeks. Two of the nation’s premier college kickers built a bond during their rounds at the postseason awards show, when both were up for the Lou Groza Award.
“I’ve gotten to know him pretty well,” Carlson said. “That will be fun playing against him. He’s an outstanding kicker.”
Both placekickers are, obviously. And although neither took home the Groza — that honor went to UCLA’s Ka’imi Fairbairn — the two plan to go toe to toe, so to speak, in the Birmingham Bowl next week to determine just who has the better leg. Auburn and Memphis face off at Legion Field on Dec. 30 at 11 a.m. on ESPN.
“We were joking about that a little bit, kind of like a face-off here to see who is — because we have the exact same stats — to see who out of the two is the better kicker,” Carlson said. “It'll be fun. We were joking about it all week so I'm excited.”
When rumors began to swirl that the two teams were likely to play each other in a bowl game, the two joked about facing off. Once the announcement became official, Elliott shot Carlson a text message: “Welp, we’re in it.”
Now the two will get to settle the friendly dispute on the field.
Carlson finished his season making 22-of-26 field goal attempts, including four kicks of more than 50 yards — the most in the nation. He also set an Auburn record with 16 consecutive made field goals during one stretch of the season. The sophomore from Colorado also converted all 36 extra-point attempts on the season.
Elliott’s season stats almost mirrored Carlson’s. The Memphis junior also made 22-of-26 field goal tries this year, and he went a perfect 62-of-62 on extra-points attempts.
“We're both just excited,” Carlson said. “He knows it's probably going to be like an away game for them, home game for us. I'm excited about that. It should be fun to watch him play.”
Daniel Carlson and Memphis kicker Jake Elliott have become quite familiar with each other in recent weeks. Two of the nation’s premier college kickers built a bond during their rounds at the postseason awards show, when both were up for the Lou Groza Award.
“I’ve gotten to know him pretty well,” Carlson said. “That will be fun playing against him. He’s an outstanding kicker.”
Both placekickers are, obviously. And although neither took home the Groza — that honor went to UCLA’s Ka’imi Fairbairn — the two plan to go toe to toe, so to speak, in the Birmingham Bowl next week to determine just who has the better leg. Auburn and Memphis face off at Legion Field on Dec. 30 at 11 a.m. on ESPN.
“We were joking about that a little bit, kind of like a face-off here to see who is — because we have the exact same stats — to see who out of the two is the better kicker,” Carlson said. “It'll be fun. We were joking about it all week so I'm excited.”
When rumors began to swirl that the two teams were likely to play each other in a bowl game, the two joked about facing off. Once the announcement became official, Elliott shot Carlson a text message: “Welp, we’re in it.”
Now the two will get to settle the friendly dispute on the field.
Carlson finished his season making 22-of-26 field goal attempts, including four kicks of more than 50 yards — the most in the nation. He also set an Auburn record with 16 consecutive made field goals during one stretch of the season. The sophomore from Colorado also converted all 36 extra-point attempts on the season.
Elliott’s season stats almost mirrored Carlson’s. The Memphis junior also made 22-of-26 field goal tries this year, and he went a perfect 62-of-62 on extra-points attempts.
“We're both just excited,” Carlson said. “He knows it's probably going to be like an away game for them, home game for us. I'm excited about that. It should be fun to watch him play.”
