![]() ![]() In addition, junior Evan Warren has performed well as kickoff specialist, averaging 58.4 yards on 22 kickoffs with nine touchbacks. In Navy's 53-21 rout over Tulsa, Davies' three makes included a 46-yarder. His 29-yarder beat the Pirates in the second overtime. In the meantime, Davies has stepped up with remarkable results - thanks in no small part to the contributions of Nichols, whom Davies says has been instrumental in building his confidence and sharpening Davies' mental approach to his job.ĭavies has converted seven of nine field-goal attempts, including three each in Navy's two wins over East Carolina and Tulsa. Nichols has yet to play during Navy's 2-4 start, although he has made steady progress toward his return in recent weeks and could see action on Saurday against Houston at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Suddenly, Nichols was faced with the reality of missing the first game of the season and the task of recovery, with no idea when he would return to his normal job. He knew something was wrong when he felt a jolt of pain in his right leg on the follow-through as Nichols finished booting a practice field goal, a sequence he had repeated thousands of times without incident. Nichols, who has scored 204 points and needs only 19 more to own the program's career record for a kicker, fully anticipated beginning the season with his team on September 3 against visiting Delaware.īut during the week leading up to the opener, Nichols' fortunes took a cruel turn. Former punter Bob Bowstrom was a team captain 92 years ago. He is believed to be the first placekicker and second kicker ever accorded such an esteemed honor in the 140-year history of Navy football. Having been a model of consistency with his obsessive work ethic, high-level performance and team-first attitude, Nichols had been named a tri-captain. Nichols, who seized the starting kicking job as a freshman on a team that won a school record 11 games including beating Air Force and Army and Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl, had only missed one game due to injury in his career prior to this year. But not being able to be an example by doing anything on the field eats at me, kills me inside."Įntering his final preseason camp, Nichols was poised to be a major contributor on a team that finished the 2021 season winners in three of its final five games, including a 17-13 win over Army. I'm still in the locker room and at practice, staying positive," Nichols says. "Being a senior and a co-captain, has been really hard. While he is deprived of the competition that drives him, Nichols has embraced his mission by helping his replacement, senior Daniel Davies – his holder the past two years – replace him effectively. Instead, Nichols is recovering and filling an effective role as essentially an extra kicking coach. ![]() Since a practice in late August, when he suffered a leg injury he calls a "fluke thing," Nichols has not seen the playing field. Nichols, whose analytical mind, icy calm and exceptional ability already have made him one of the top kickers in school history after three seasons, is still adjusting to a challenge he could not have foreseen two months ago. As Navy's 2022 football season rolls past its midpoint, senior placekicker Bijan Nichols wrestles with his unexpected place on the Midshipmen's roster.
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