When LSU freshman kicker Colby Delahoussaye kicked a 41-yard field goal against Ole Miss on Saturday, many only saw the basic results of the play. The kick got LSU to within seven points and made Delahoussaye a perfect 9-9 on the season.
More important than that, however, was the continuance of one of LSU’s longest and most impressive streaks.
After Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss, LSU has played in 79 games and attempted 145 field goals without a single blocked kick — a streak dating back to 2007.
“We pride ourselves in not letting field goals get blocked,“ said sophomore long snapper Reid Ferguson. “It starts with the snap, then hold, then the kick, and protection from the offensive line. We pay a lot of attention to everything.”
The streak becomes even more impressive when compared to other Southeastern Conference teams. After LSU, the longest unblocked streak belongs to Auburn, which has gone only 44 games and 62 attempts without getting a kick blocked.
Of the 13 other SEC teams, nine have had a field goal blocked in their previous 20 attempts.
Last season in the NFL, 19 of the 985 field goal attempts were blocked, meaning a blocked kick occurred about once every 50 attempts — nearly three times less than LSU’s streak.
When put into perspective, the streak makes for something the special team can truly be proud of, Ferguson said.
“You’ve always got to take pride in having the best in anything,” Ferguson said. “145 straight kicks without a block, you have to be happy for something like that.”
A major contribution to the streak came in 2011 in the form of Tigers special teams coach Thomas McGaughey, who came to Baton Rouge from the NFL, where he helped lead the New York Giants to a 2007 Super Bowl victory.
Since taking over, McGaughey has continued the streak, allowing only one punt to be blocked as well. In practice, McGaughey emphasizes discipline when it comes to getting the kick off when it matters, Delahoussaye said.
Delahoussaye joins former kickers Colt David, Josh Jasper and Drew Alleman in the group who have helped assemble the streak. Last season, Alleman, a senior at the time, gave some advice to Delahoussaye which still sticks with him today.
“Right when I came in as a freshman last year, he saw me kicking and pulled me aside,” Delahoussaye said. “He said, ‘Hey, you got to get your ball up a little higher. This is different, this is the SEC now, and you have got some big boys comin’ after you.’”
Another aspect to the streak has been the constant repetition in practice. Ferguson said he believes this hard work as well as the players’ focus on getting their specific job done have contributed the most to the unit’s performance.
Nov. 3 will mark the six-year anniversary since LSU last had a field goal blocked. As the date nears, Delahoussaye reflects on the bond he has made with players such as Ferguson and senior holder Seth Fruge and how critical it’s been to LSU’s unblockable nature.
“I can trust them because both of them are automatic. They’re like machines,” Delahoussaye said. “It’s a brotherhood. … You need to have a good bond because it is all about trust. Just like in a marriage you have to have trust, in this you have to have trust.”
Team Games played/Attempts since block Division
Florida 2 games 4 attempts East
Ole Miss 0/1 West
Mizzou 10/19 East
Kentucky 38/46 East
South Carolina 7/7 East
Georgia 21/28 East
Auburn 44/62 West
Alabama 8/9 West
Arkansas 0/0 West
Miss St 11/16 West
Vanderbilt 14/19 East
A&M 11/14 West
Tennessee 19/29 East
LSU 79/145 West
Stats compiled by Tommy Romanach/The Daily Reveille