A Simple Solution for Sailer

Having weighed the various mathematical considerations--trajectory, velocity, etc.--and having also left kicker Chris Sailer himself without an explanation, the Bruins think they may have at least come up with a partial reason for the unusual run of blocked field goals:

Eighteen inches.

None of Sailer’s kicks had been blocked before this season, when five have been, three officially and two more that were at least tipped. So the foot and a half is as good a place to look as any.

It comes from the realization that his holder, Joey Strycula, had recently been lining up seven yards behind the line of scrimmage instead of the preferred 7 1/2.

“That’s a big difference,” Coach Bob Toledo said.

Add it to the list of what has been a strange and sometimes disappointing season for Sailer, who began his senior season as an All-American candidate at punter and kicker. He has made only five of 13 field goals, one of four between 40 and 49 yards, where he made six of nine in 1997.

Bothered by a groin injury for several weeks, his longest field goal is 41 yards--but the longest kick is the 45-yard extra point Oct. 24 at California, after three Bruin penalties.

And then there are the blocks.

“That’s been one of the most frustrating things,” he said. “I’ve only missed three wide right or left all year. But then I have eight misses.

“A few [of the blocks] early on were because of good penetration by the defense. The last ones, they were kind of lower kicks. . . . It’s something that’s been hard to explain. I can’t really pinpoint the exact reason.”