Sam Swank, Wake Forest's star kicker, missed practice yesterday with an injury that may sideline him for Thursday night's game against Clemson.
Swank strained the quadriceps in his right thigh during Monday's practice, and wasn't in uniform yesterday. He said he's not sure if he will be recovered by Thursday's 7:45 kickoff against the Tigers.
"It will definitely be a game-time decision," Swank said.
Swank, a senior from Jacksonville Beach, Fla., has handled both the kicking and punting duties since the start of the 2006 season. Swank, Wake Forest's all-time leader in field goals and points scored, was named first-team All-ACC kicker and honorable mention as a punter in 2006, and honorable mention as a kicker in 2007.
"We won't know until we get over there Thursday whether he can kick or not," Coach Jim Grobe said. "Hopefully his thigh will loosen up and he'll be able to go, but we'll see."
If Swank is sidelined, Shane Popham will kick and punt for the Deacons. Popham is a redshirt freshman from Crestview Hills, Ky., who has yet to play at Wake Forest.
Popham kicked a 49-yard field goal near the end of yesterday's practice.
"We really love Shane," Grobe said. "If Sam can't go, I think Shane will do great.
"We're blessed to have two really good kickers.'
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement