Kicking battle offers Holtz options, not necessarily comfort

Posted Aug 25, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Aug 25, 2010 at 08:17 PM

TAMPA – In Skip Holtz’s final game as coach at East Carolina, a kicker dominated the headlines. Pirates kicker Ben Hartman missed a 39-yarder with 1:03 left in a 20-17 overtime loss to Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl.

Hartman later missed a 39-yarder as time ran out in regulation, and he missed a 35-yarder in overtime. Afterward, Holtz’s wife, Jennifer, consoled Hartman as he tried to remain composed, unable to speak to reporters afterward.

In his first season at USF, Holtz is watching a neck-and-neck kicking battle between senior Eric Schwartz and sophomore Maikon Bonani during camp.

Asked Wednesday if that’s comforting considering his final game at East Carolina – Schwartz and Bonani each have significant game experience – Holtz chuckled at the thought.

“It will be comforting when the ball goes through the uprights,’’ Holtz said. “We do have two guys who are kicking pretty well, and it’s gone back and forth. It’s going to be a camp-long competition.”

At FanFest on Sunday, Holtz said Bonani had a slight edge. When he released an updated depth chart Wednesday afternoon, Schwartz was listed as the starter.

“It’s going to probably right until the middle of next week until we decide on who is going to be a starter,’’ Holtz said.

NO MORE OPTIONS: The passing game remains a priority in practice as the Bulls attempt to work out some of the kinks. Former DB Daniel Bryant, who moved to receiver, suffered an ankle injury Wednesday and is out of the mix for the time being.

The receiving corps is already loaded with players who used to play other positions – Evan Landi, Joel Miller, Lindsey Lamar are three – so the current group must produce.

“We’re just going to have to continue to push,’’ Holtz said. “At this point, there is no other, ‘let’s move guys around.’ The ones that are there are the ones we have to play with at this.’’

POPEK TO MISS OPENER: Injured OL Mark Popek, who started five games as a true freshman, is improving from a sprained right knee but offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler said Wednesday he won’t factor into plans for the home opener.

“I’m not even thinking about him,’’ Shankweiler said. On the depth chart, true freshman Quinterrius Eatmon is behind starter Jake Sims at right tackle.

“Mark Popek getting hurt facilitated that,’’ Shankweiler said. “Truthfully, the lack of depth we have has forced Quinterrius to grow up maybe a little earlier than we wanted him to. He has an unusual ability to learn things football-wise more quickly than most freshmen.’’

INJURY UPDATE: Starting LB Sabbath Joseph returned to practice after suffering a concussion last week. “He was fine. You are always careful with a concussion because they can be so dangerous,’’ Holtz said. It’s been great for DeDe Lattimore, a freshman who gets all that work.’’ … DB Jon Lejiste, projected to start at SS based on the depth chart released Wednesday, continues to practice with a cast on his right broken ring finger. “It doesn’t bother me at all,’’ Lejiste said after Wednesday’s practice ... Holtz said sophomore WR Sterling Griffin is on schedule to return in early October from a dislocated ankle and fractured leg, and that senior WR A.J. Love is shooting for a mid-October return from a knee injury suffered in the spring game … Freshman OL Jake Kaufman was wearing a protective boot on his injured right ankle Wednesday and did not practice.

BULL BITS: Holtz said the coaching staff is starting to watch game film of Stoney Brook, USF’s opponent in the season opener Sept. 4 … QB B.J. Daniels will assist in the coin toss ceremony at the Bucs game against Jacksonville on Aug. 28 at Raymond James Stadium.