And the kicker is, Ayat's only a freshman
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
TULSA, Okla. — Beware Jason Elam, your days of holding on to the University of Hawai'i record for the longest field goal are numbered.
With a smooth 55-yard field goal that cleared the Skelly Stadium crossbar with ease, redshirt freshman Justin Ayat served notice yesterday that Elam's 9-year-old mark of 56 yards set against Brigham Young won't be around much longer.
"To be quite honest, before the year is out he'll hit one from maybe 60 yards; who knows how long," said UH coach June Jones. "He has enough leg; it is just a matter of having the right circumstances."
In a 36-15 victory over the University of Tulsa, Ayat kicked a 38-yard first-quarter field goal to open the Warriors' scoring and then added their final points with the 55-yarder in the fourth period.
"(Friday) night during our meetings Coach Jones told me before the season is over I'll probably get to try a 57- or 58-yarder," Ayat said. "I hope I get that chance but, if not, there are a lot more years for me to get it."
Almost from the day the Kamehameha Schools graduate signed with UH, Elam's record has been in Ayat's sights.
"Right after I knew I was going to UH, I looked up the record in the media guide because I wanted something to shoot for," Ayat said. "I wanted a challenge to shoot for. When I saw it was 56, I was encouraged because it looked like something I might be able to get someday."
Several teammates suggested after the fact yesterday that he should have asked for a deeper placement so he could have gotten a shot at it. "I figured I should just take what I had," Ayat said. "I didn't want to get too greedy and miss it.
"The conditions were just right: good snap, good hold and a little bit of a soft breeze behind my back."
Along with his range Ayat's confidence has been expanding as well. After making 1 of 5 at Southern Methodist three weeks ago, Ayat said he stopped dwelling on his misses and went about focusing on the kicks ahead.
"The misses were staying on my mind and getting me down. I know I have to learn from them and then move on and focus on my next kick," Ayat said.
It has paid off in three consecutive field goals — two from 50 yards or more.
"Justin has really put it together these last few weeks; you can sense his confidence now," said quarterback Nick Rolovich.
EXTRA POINTS: The Warriors did not suffer a turnover yesterday, only the second time in the 31 games of Jones' tenure they have been without at least one. The only other time came two years ago here against Tulsa. . . The Warriors have lost the coin flip in all four of their victories. "I hope we keep on losing it," Jones said . . . A slight ankle sprain by running back Thero Mitchell was the only reported injury. . . Freshman running back Mike Bass said Tulsa was one of his finalists before signing with UH. "I really liked Tulsa, but what helped decide it for me was the UH offense and, of course, Hawai'i.". . . Scouts from the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks attended the game.
