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MSU kicker Michael Geiger confident he can turn things around

September 24, 2015
<p>Senior long snapper Taybor Pepper, 52, celebrates with junior kicker Michael Geiger after an extra point attempt during the second quarter of the game against Air Force on Sept. 19, 2015, at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Falcons, 35-21. Alice Kole/The State News</p>

Senior long snapper Taybor Pepper, 52, celebrates with junior kicker Michael Geiger after an extra point attempt during the second quarter of the game against Air Force on Sept. 19, 2015, at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Falcons, 35-21. Alice Kole/The State News

Photo by Alice Kole | The State News

“You’re only as good as your last kick, or your next kick,” MSU junior kicker Michael Geiger said after an evening of practice on Tuesday.

"You’re only as good as your last kick, or your next kick"

Geiger, now in his third season of carrying the field goal kicking duties for the Spartans, had a 35-yard attempt blocked by the back of his offensive lineman against Air Force this past Saturday, though it was credited to the Falcons’ defensive lineman David Harris.

“I just didn’t get my best hit on it and it stayed low and unfortunately it kind of got blocked or kind of hit the back of our offensive lineman,” Geiger said.

The seasoned kicker said the snap and hold were fine and he is just as confident heading into week four against Central Michigan as he has been all his career.

In 2013 as a freshman, Geiger set the MSU record for kicking percentage in a season (93.8 percent), making 15 of 16 field goals including a career long 49-yarder. 

“I got one rep in the game and that is my stage, that is my time to shine," Geiger said. "So disappointing, but you know after Sunday meetings, wash it away, review all the film and today I had a great day in practice and coach D has great faith in me."

In 2014, Geiger was 14 for 22 in field goal attempts. This season, Geiger is 2 for 4 with his other miss coming on a 28-yard attempt against Oregon. His two makes were a 21-yard kick at Western Michigan and a 36-yard kick against Oregon. 

“I feel great physically, I’ve been reviewing my technique, I think it is back to where I want it and I’ve been striking the ball really well, even on my one miss at Oregon I really got into the ball and felt like it was good it was just a little bit off,” Geiger said. 

“So I think we will be back on track.”

Part of his confidence, Geiger said, comes from the comfort of head football coach Mark Dantonio.

“We kind of glance down at each other and as I’m going out there, I know he has faith in me and that is just . ... The last thing I see before I go out on the field is coach D, so it is always good to have him on my side,” Geiger said.

In addition to coach Dantonio, Geiger said he is equally primed for confident kicking come game day by an inspired special teams coordinator in Mark Snyder.

"I like his personality, it’s like he’s on a more serious, more intense level, but he also knows how to, you know, talk to you and be real with you so he is very upfront in that respect."

“I like his personality, it’s like he’s on a more serious, more intense level, but he also knows how to, you know, talk to you and be real with you so he is very upfront in that respect,” Geiger said. 

“I think that I kind of set the expectations in practice every day when I come out here and try to be perfect and then, you know, he just reaffirms that and makes sure I am reaching my goals.”

Geiger will not be kicking off against Central Michigan at noon on Saturday — that will be junior kickoff specialist Kevin Cronin — but he said, "just knowing that your coach has the utmost faith in you helps yourself push yourself a little farther in your belief." 

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