Surprise at UVa
Posted Aug25, 2006 at 04:40 PM
With one week to go before Virginia's opening football game, one of the few position battles that is too close to call is taking place at place-kicker.
For two years, Chris Gould has been viewed as the heir apparent to all-time UVa scoring leader Connor Hughes, but Gould has had a surprisingly strong challenge from walk-on Noah Greenbaum.
Greenbaum, who is in his fourth year in the program, had a 41-yard field goal against Temple and also had a game-winning field goal in UVa's spring game. Greenbaum, a product of Richmond's Collegiate Schools, appeared twice in a 2003 game as a punting alternative to Tom Hagan.
Coach Al Groh already has said that Gould will handle kickoffs, previously the responsibility of Kurt Smith, now with the San Diego Chargers. Junior-college transfer Ryan Weigand probably would punt if Gould handled field goals and extra points; if Greenbaum wins that job, Gould might be the punter.
That doesn't rule out the possibility that Gould, younger brother of Chicago Bears place-kicker Robbie Gould, could handle kicking and punting duties if Groh doesn't like what he sees from Weigand.
The good news for Greenbaum is that he's received a scholarship, whether he wins the place-kicking job or not.
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