10 rookies -- K Trent Mossbrucker

No. 7 -- K Trent Mossbrucker

OK, I freely admit stretching the "rookie" definition for sophomore Trent Mossbrucker.

In 2008, Mossbrucker set the freshman points record at Iowa with 70. He made 13 of 15 field goals and 31 of 33 PATs. He LED the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.867) and was seventh in field goals per game (1.1) and kick scoring a game (5.8).

Then, the 31-yarder against Penn State happened. Kirk Ferentz made the call to give Daniel Murray, who had more experience but hadn't tried a field goal the five weeks prior, the opportunity. Murray made it. Mossbrucker missed two PATs the following week. Last season, the job was Murray's while Mossbrucker redshirted.

So no, Mossbrucker isn't a rookie. Perhaps, he fits more into the "comeback player of the year" award? Define it how you will, but this is fresh start time for Mossbrucker.

During the spring scrimmage, Mossbrucker finished made 4 of 5 to Murray's 3 of 7. That's just one practice out of 15, so it could've been the other way around for at least a few of those. Murray's advantage in leg strength seems to have disappeared. Mossbrucker is right there in that regard. Also, Mossbrucker seemed to kick a more "field goal" kind of a ball -- higher vs. line drive, which carried over from fall to spring for Murray.

Situation

Mossbrucker and Murray have a few things hanging over their heads going into '10.

First, there's Ferentz's blunt assessment of kickers after spring practice.

“It's been underwhelming, quite frankly,” Ferentz said. “We've  been very inconsistent. We've flashed, but we haven't been consistent. I'm not sure what's the cause of that, but we're not consistent like we need to be, at this point, with that position.”

So, there's that. There's also some influx of new talent.

Jonny Mullings was initially supposed to report as a grayshirt scholarship. That changed just a few weeks ago. The 22-year-old Australian will be on scholarship and will be in competition for the kickoff position. Could that leak to kicker? I don't think it will. Mullings is more of a punting prospect with eyes on taking over for Ryan Donahue in 2011.

What about Mike Meyer, the walk-on from Dubuque Wahlert? I'm going to assume he's in the kickoff competition. What about field goals? Again, I doubt it. He's behind in resume and experience, but he also set Mississippi Valley Conference records for longest field goal (56), most field goals in a season (nine) and in a game (four). He made four field goals, including from 56 and 49 yards last Sept. 18 against Dubuque Senior. He also led the MVC in punting with a 41.4-yard average.

If it's an open competition, it could get interesting on the quiet side of the Kenyon Practice Facility.

Outlook

Mossbrucker is in a good position heading into 2010.

Murray put up solid numbers last season (19 of 26 field goals with the 19 tying for the Big Ten lead and his 73.1 percentage finishing fourth), but he also had a streak of inconsistency and the developed the line drive habit. He's probably the least secure returning starter.

Mossbrucker has experience. He's had a year to get over the Penn State snub. He's had a year to strengthen his leg.

I don't consider Mullings or Meyer threats for the field goal job, not this season. Mossbrucker has a chance to establish himself as "the guy" for the next three seasons. Ball's in his court.