Hell in the Hall – Louisville Sports Blog

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Our barefoot kicker, Ryan Payne, will get his shot tonight at Memphis.  He’s #1 as of yesterday.

Like  Mike of the Card Chronicle, I have acquired a (un) healthy fascination with a guy who kicks footballs.

In Mike’s defense, Art Carmody was indeed god.

In my defense, Ryan Payne kicks a football with his bare foot.

Now, god vs. bare foot may not seem quite on an equal, uhh, footing.

However, consider:  It really hurts when you kick a football with your bare foot in cold weather.  Even Ryan admitted in his interview with me, that it really “stings.”

http://hellinthehall.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/interview-ryan-payne/

But, hey, in the same breath he insists that he has practiced a lot  in the cold, and is fearless about it.

I have heard that Coach K is very concerned about him kicking barefoot in the cold…if K makes him wear a shoe, Ryan has told me it may will screw up his mechanics at this juncture.

For those of you (like me) that are having a hard time whipping up enthusiasm to watch two lower tier teams beat on each other, here’s your chance to perk up a bit.

Ryan is a “Rudy’ kind of guy…he’s a walk-on, and has played soccer all his life–until his father asked him to try to kick a football…less than 2 yrs ago!

He was rated #1 just four days before the UK opener…and pulled a groin muscle.  Anyone who has had a groin injury knows how frustrating and difficult it is to rehabilitate that ‘area.”  It’s a particularly bad spot for a kicker.

Ryan has struggled with that…and recently had it compounded with an infection in another part of his, uh, “nether regions.’  That resulted in a swelling the size of a “football.” (Naturally.)

Somehow, someway…  he is ready.  And the stage is his tonight.

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to be watching and cheering for this underdog.

And also strongly praying some control freak doesn’t make him wear a shoe…

Post script after our victory over Memphis:

FYI…

That was Ryan Payne’s first field goal attempt in ANY football game

and it’s  in the hostile stadium of an old arch-rival

and…. it’s potentially for the game …. Jesus.

And his 36 yarder hits the upright–and kicks out.

Welcome to the gut-wrenching game of college football, Mr. Payne. (Pain?)

Card fans– I know what you’re thinking–God, we don’t have ANYBODY that can even make a lousy field goal!

But, I say hold…

In the only start of his football life, Ryan had looked good on kickoffs and extra pts right up to that field goal.

The young man is  a walk-on…from California ! Has played football less than 2 yrs—never in high school, only for us.  Beats out the two guys with the schollies in the pre-season, and fights back from injury to claim the #1 spot again.

I like his heart…the kid can do it… I hope K sticks with him, and gives him a true chance.