Erik Folk insists he’s not suffering through some kind of confidence crisis as the University of Washington place-kicker.
But the numbers do not lie – he was 13 of 20 in 2010, a down season compared with his remarkable 2009 in which he made 18 of 21 field-goal attempts.
And his coach – Steve Sarkisian – did not give his kicker a free pass at the outset of fall camp. He wants to see more from the senior out of Woodland Hills, Calif., heading into this season.
“(A goal) is getting Erik Folk back to where I know he can be … as an (all-conference) kicker,” Sarkisian said.
So far, the fall-camp results have been mixed. Folk has rarely had a perfect live field-goal kicking session during practice. In fact, during one sequence last week, he missed half of his six attempts.
But during the first real scrimmage setting Tuesday, Folk nailed a 52-yarder. Then in the team’s final overtime practice session Wednesday, he converted a 27-yarder to close practice.
“It’s felt a lot better,” Folk said. “During … warm-ups, I was hitting them the way I want to be hitting them.”
Folk started last season by making his first seven field goals – and 11 in a row, dating back to the end of 2010 – before missing a 47-yarder against Arizona State.
That was the distance that gave Folk difficulty from that point on. He missed seven of his final nine attempts from 45 yards or longer, including two in the Holiday Bowl against Nebraska (48 and 47 yards).
“Somewhere in the back of my mind, I changed a couple things up for those (technically),” Folk said. “I did not swing (the leg) like I know how to.”
In the offseason, including spring ball, Folk said he has worked on two things primarily. First, he wants his technique to feel a bit more natural and less mechanical. And finally, he is trying to keep his eyes behind the ball when he kicks.
“I think Erik has really come on in the last couple days,” Sarkisian said.
EXTRA POINTS
As expected, running back Chris Polk (knee) was sorer Friday – one day after he had arthroscopic surgery on his knee – and did not move around practice as well. Sarkisian all but ruled the junior out to return next week. … Cornerback Quinton Richardson (ankle) not only shed the walking boot entirely Friday, but Sarkisian foresees the senior participating in practice on a limited basis as soon as next week. … Starting middle linebacker Cort Dennison (leg) was kicked in the shin during individual work and was a nonparticipant in the live period Friday. He likely will also be limited in today’s scrimmage. … Defensive tackle Alameda Ta’amu (hand) felt discomfort in his wrist and also missed the 11-on-11 period. … Strong safety Taz Stevenson (knee) returned to full action for the first time this fall camp Friday – and looked rusty. … Rule out running back Kyle Lewis coming to the UW this season. He was denied eligibility by the NCAA, and cannot enroll.
Todd Milles: 253-597-8442 todd.milles@thenewstribune.com
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