Journal-World File PhotoJerod Brooks waited more than two years to kick a field goal in a college football game.
When he finally got his chance, he failed.
“I was a little frustrated,” said Brooks, Kansas University’s walk-on kicker from Ottawa. “It was my fault for getting it blocked. I was glad I got another shot. I didn’t see the flag at first.”
Brooks had a 24-yard field-goal attempt blocked last Saturday during a 24-3 loss to Nebraska, but the Cornhuskers were penalized for being offside. Given another chance from 20 yards out, Brooks made it.
The third-year sophomore will share kicking duties with junior Johnny Beck for the third straight week today at Oklahoma State.
Beck made only four of his first eight field-goal attempts this season before making four of his next five, including a 51-yarder at Kansas State. But the Kansas City Piper graduate missed a 42-yarder two weeks ago at Texas A&M and also misfired on an extra point in a 45-33 loss.
Brooks replaced him for KU’s final extra-point attempt at A&M and also was used once on the kickoff unit.
KU coach Mark Mangino said he would use Beck for kickoffs and long field goals, while Brooks would be used for PATs and short field goals.
Where the Jayhawks will draw the line remains to be seen.
“There’s a small gray area,” Brooks said. “Once we get inside the 50 we both start warming up.
“I’m hoping we score a touchdown so I know I’m kicking an extra point.”
Brooks started his high school career kicking soccer balls but later switched to football and was a kicker, offensive lineman and safety for Ottawa High.
He spent his freshman season as a redshirt at Butler County Community College before transferring closer to home last year.
“Being from Ottawa, I knew what it was like here and I’ve always been a KU fan,” he said. “Being down at El Dorado, it wasn’t exactly the type of environment I wanted or was used to.”
Not that the adjustment to KU was easy.
Beck had been a standout as a true freshman in 2001, making 14 of 20 field-goal attempts and 16 of 17 extra-point attempts, but he suffered through a nightmarish sophomore year last season, missing eight straight field goals at one point and finishing 7 of 17 and was 23 of 27 on extra-point attempts.
KU’s coaches gave Brooks a look during Beck’s drought before sticking with the veteran. Brooks didn’t get on the field for the second year in a row.
“It was hard,” Brooks said. “In high school I was used to being able to help the team whenever possible. During my freshman year it was hard for me to sit on the sideline and watch.
“I wasn’t even suiting up. It’s hard to just stand there and watch and see Johnny … I wanted to go in, but the coaches felt like he was the guy so I was just trying to support him as best as possible.”
Kansas signed Tulsa, Okla., prep standout Scott Webb to push Beck last winter before deciding to give the freshman a red-shirt season this fall. Instead, Brooks will provide the competition the rest of the season.
“Every kick in practice is charted and recorded,” Mangino said. “The operation time, direction and where it landed in relation to the goal post is also recorded. We have been pretty stringent in that area. I have not lost confidence in Johnny Beck. I think he is a talented guy. I think he needs to compete for that job and competing for that job gives you the mental edge that you need. Last year, he was our only kicker.
“Nearly every other position on the field guys have to fight to earn those positions. He hasn’t had much to compete against until now. Jerod Brooks has worked hard and has made himself a factor in this thing now.”
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