Ayat could be replaced as placekicker
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones yesterday opened the possibility of switching placekickers for Saturday's game against Army.
Jones told Nolan Miranda, a second-year freshman from Castle High, "to be ready."
AYAT
Justin Ayat, who led Western Athletic Conference kickers in field-goal percentage through UH's first eight games, has missed his last four field-goal attempts, including both tries in a 24-14 loss to Nevada.
Jones said Miranda "will get an opportunity this week. We'll see how it goes in practice."
Although a decision has not been finalized, Jones said he is hopeful Ayat will "fight through" the slump and "I'm sure he'll kick in the game, also."
Ayat said: "It's somewhat expected, given the way I've been performing. I haven't been getting it done. Nolan is a great kicker. In the long run, if it's better for the team, so be it."
Miranda, who is 5 feet 8 and 162 pounds, joined the Warriors as a nonscholarship player last year.
He was not medically cleared to compete in training camp in August when it was feared he had an enlarged heart. Then, he sprained his right ankle while playing with a Hacky Sack. That led to this chicken-egg dilemma: He could not be cleared until he passed a treadmill test, but he couldn't run on a treadmill until the injury on his kicking ankle healed.
Eventually, Miranda underwent an angiogram, which did not show any problems with his heart or blood flow.
"The doctors told me everything's fine," he recalled.
Miranda received medical clearance for the Aug. 30 opener against Appalachian State, although he admitted to not being ready because of the sprained right ankle.
Miranda has been steady in practice. Although he has attempted kicks from 60 yards, he feels most comfortable within 45 yards.
"He's probably one of the better walk-on kickers we've had," Jones said. "He has a good leg. He's waiting for the opportunity, just like a lot of the other guys. ... He's got a lot of talent kicking off and (on) field goals. But he's biding his time for his chance. You never know when it's going to come. It might come this week."
That would come with mixed emotions for Miranda, who is Ayat's roommate.
"He's a good kicker and a good friend, so I feel for him," Miranda said. "There's no tension between us."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
