Last Year
Let’s start with the obvious. The placekicking game last year was an unmitigated disaster. Two different kickers combined to make just five out of 10 FGs. Both the field goals attempted and the field goals made were tied for third lowest in the nation. The percentage, though, was tied for fifth worst. It was bad. Oh, and they also missed two extra points.
We all know what happened in the UConn game. Sure, that wasn’t entirely the fault of the kicking unit. But, if the coaching staff had more (any?) faith in the placekicker, perhaps the situation would’ve played out differently.