RI's Reda kicks up confidence

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By Steve Batterson | Thursday, October 5, 2006 12:00 AM CDT | () comments

When the ball left Jason Reda’s foot last Saturday at Michigan State, the Illinois kicker wasn’t certain that he had ended the Fighting Illini’s 10-game Big Ten losing streak.

“It didn’t feel like I had hit it that good. I wasn’t sure,’’ said Reda, a former Rock Island standout whose 39-yard field goal in the final seconds lifted Illinois to a 23-20 road win.

“I’m not really supposed to look up after I kick the ball, but I did on that one. I wanted to see for sure. I looked up in time to see the referee raise both arms, and it was the best feeling in the world.’’

Kickers live for that moment, savoring an opportunity to step on the field and make the difference between victory and defeat.

“It’s what you work all offseason, all summer for,’’ Reda said. “All of the hours you spend on the field kicking and trying to improve, it can be pretty lonely at times, but the payoff comes with a chance like that.

“I’ve had two other late-game opportunities since I’ve been here that I didn’t convert, but I finally got one through, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.’’

Reda recalls what transpired during the final 2 minutes, 27 seconds of last week’s game at Spartan Stadium.

With the game tied at 20-20, he was warming up along the sideline, sensing a late opportunity as a possibility.

“Coach (Ron) Zook came up and asked me where I needed the ball. I told him I would feel comfortable anywhere around the 30. Then he left, so I continued to warm up,’’ Reda said.

“There really weren’t many nerves at that point. I was just getting ready and keeping one eye on what was going on with the offense. Juice (Williams, the Illini quarterback) did a great job of moving the team. He played like an experienced quarterback.’’

In nine plays, Williams moved the Illini 58 yards, and the ball was resting on the Michigan State 22-yard line when Reda took the field during a timeout REDA

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with 10 seconds remaining.

“At that point, I was a little nervous,” he said. “But once I step on the field, at home or away, I’m not hearing the crowd at all. I notice the noise when I’m on the sideline watching, but once I take the field, I’m in my own little world,’’ Reda said.

“It was silent. That’s the focus that has to be there. It’s all about concentration and execution. My snapper (Kyle Knezetic) made a good snap and my holder, Frank Lenti, always does a great job — he’s so consistent. They gave me a chance and we got it done.’’

Reda has converted on 48 straight and 58-of-59 point-after attempts in three seasons. Zook said Reda is beginning to realize his potential.

“Jason’s a good kicker who works hard at what he does, but sometimes, you need to make that big kick to realize what you can do,’’ Zook said. “He’s done that now, and that’s only going to help him the next time he faces the same situation.’’

Reda sees that as a new level of confidence Illinois’ team can carry with it moving forward.

“Some of that tenseness is gone,’’ Reda said. “I think we saw last weekend that if we play like we are capable of playing, there isn’t any reason why things can’t turn out for the best.’’

Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com.