Preseason Football Report
ASU Braves kicking unit will have a new look
8/19/01
Alcorn State, Miss. The Alcorn State kicking corps will have somewhat of a new look coming into the upcoming season. Although senior punter and kickoff man Ed Cicoria (6-2,200) returns form last year's team, the team is going to need someone to replace three-year starter in placekicker Erik Newman who graduated this past spring. In addition to being the starting punter, Cicoria handled both the extra-point and field goal duties during the past spring.
"Eddie is our starting punter, field goal kicker and kickoff person," head coach Johnny Thomas said. "We need some people just in case he gets injured and we are addressing that now."
The coaching staff has addressed the needs in this area with freshmen Mackendie Duperval (5-11,200), Steven Fitzsimons (6-4,210) and Shane Phillips (6-2,200) will all be looked upon to provide some depth during the fall.
Phillips is currently working out at punter while Fitzsimons and Duperval will work out at the placekicker and kickoff positions. Both Fitzsimons and Phillips are also members of the Alcorn State baseball team at the positions of pitcher and catcher respectively.
Last year, Cicoria averaged 38.4 yards per punt including 14 kicks inside of the opponent's 20-yard line. He was also the team's primary kickoff man in which he placed 22 kicks inside of the opponents' 20-yard line including eight touchbacks.
On Saturday, the team held a short scrimmage in the morning workout while spending the afternoon working primarily on special teams. Alcorn State will host its annual media day activities on Saturday, August 25th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. There will be a cookout hosted by the A-Club at the park on Alcorn State's campus.
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