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Succop is master of his domain

Kicker is moving up the USC record lists, but one big kick still eludes him

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USC kicker Ryan Succop is tied with George Rogers for the second-most points in USC history, with 202.

C. Aluka Berry/caberry@thestate.com

Written by SETH EMERSON

semerson@thestate.com
Posted on 10.03.08
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Ryan Succop is moving up USC's career charts:

Career points

1. Collin Mackie (1987-90): 330

t-2. Ryan Succop (2005-current): 202

t-2. George Rogers (1977-80): 202

4. Reed Morton (1993-96): 201

5. Harold Green (1986-89): 198

Career field goals

1. Collin Mackie (1987-90): 72

t-2. Ryan Succop (2005-current): 39

t-2. Mark Fleetwood (1981-83): 39

t-2. Reed Morton (1993-96): 39

5. Daniel Weaver (2000-03): 32

USC kicker Ryan Succop and his coaches were watching Saturday as Florida had a chance to kick a game-winning, 48-yard field goal — and went for it on fourth down instead. Florida failed and lost to Mississippi.

Succop and his coaches asked themselves, what if it had been us? It seems an easy answer:

If USC has that chance Saturday at Ole Miss, everyone seems to agree Succop will get the chance Florida’s kicker didn’t. It would provide Succop, a senior, the chance to top off an outstanding career with the one thing that is missing.

“I hope we get that opportunity. I hope we get it this Saturday,” said Ray Rychleski, USC’s special teams coach. “Two seconds to go, down two, let’s kick the 45-yarder to win it. With Succop, I’ll take it right now.”

Succop’s success this season has been lost in the shuffle of all the talk about the struggling offense. Succop has attempted 12 field goals — the most in the SEC, thanks in part to USC’s struggles in the red zone — and has made 10 of them.

The senior is tied with George Rogers for the second-most points in USC history, with 202. His next field goal, which would be his 40th, will put him alone in second place on the program’s all-time list.

That is where Succop will stay in those categories. Collin Mackie (1987-90) holds the all-time marks with 72 field goals and 330 points.

Succop’s career field-goal percentage of .765 puts him in first place, ahead of the man he replaced, Josh Brown (.741 in 27 career attempts.)

However, one thing has eluded Succop. One big thing.

In three seasons as USC’s place-kicker, he lacks a defining moment, a game-winning field goal that will be remembered for years by Gamecocks fans. He knows that, listing it as one of two things he still wants to accomplish at USC. (The other is being named an All-American.)

Against Clemson two years ago, Succop nailed what turned out to be the game-winner, a 35-yarder with 7:51 remaining. But he grants that “it wasn’t necessarily dramatic” because most people remember Clemson kicker Jad Dean missing a 39-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining. Earlier that season, Succop had a potential winning kick blocked at Florida.

Then there was the end of last year’s Tennessee game, when it seemed Succop had that moment, only to have it taken away. Succop made a 49-yarder with 1:24 left to give USC a 24-21 lead, but Tennessee’s Daniel Lincoln answered with a field goal with five seconds to go. In overtime, Succop was wide right on a 40-yarder, sealing the Volunteers’ win.

Succop might be in a better position to make the big kick this season, in terms of leg strength. During the preseason, Rychleski took away Succop’s punting duties, which Succop said has him feeling better than he did this time last year.

“I feel a lot fresher,” he said. “When you’ve got to kick every day in practice and kick off every day in practice, it wears on you as the season goes on. And not having to do that has been extremely helpful.”

The move seems to have worked. USC ranks first in the SEC in kickoff coverage, which Rychleski attributes in large part to Succop, as well as helping the defense rise to a No. 1 national ranking.

Sophomore punter Spencer Lanning has done well and is in line to take over place-kicking duties next season, according to Rychleski.

But for the rest of Succop’s final season, the Gamecocks believe they have one of the best kickers in the country.

“We don’t take it for granted,” Rychleski said. “Maybe other people do. But I think everybody notices that he got (SEC) special teams player of the week last week. Everyone on our team really respects the heck out of him.”

Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.

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