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Clemson Football: What does losing kicker Greg Huegel mean for the Tigers?

By Shawn Spencer

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 2: Wide receiver Will Swinney holds the ball for kicker Greg Huegel
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 2: Wide receiver Will Swinney holds the ball for kicker Greg Huegel /
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Clemson football lost starting kicker Greg Huegel for the season due to an ACL tear. What does it mean for the Tigers moving forward?

Clemson football lost starting kicker Greg Huegel to an ACL tear for the rest of the season.

On the last play of practice Wednesday, a player rolled on Huegel’s leg leading to the injury. According to what we’ve heard, he was able to walk off the field under his own power.

Everything looked to be okay, but today the MRI results came back with different news.

This is coming on the heels of Clemson football announcing that defensive end Logan Rudolph would be out for the season with a shoulder injury.

Injuries are a part of football, but this one definitely hurts.

Greg Huegel wasn’t always the most consistent kicker, but he gave you a chance. He was the best option.

Interestingly enough, Huegel was 3-of-7 in the past nine games. That’s right Huegel only attempted seven field goals the final six games of the 2016 season and through three games this season.

Two of the made field goals were against Louisville last week. So, the good news may be that Clemson football doesn’t necessarily need a field goal kicker to win a lot of games, but it definitely helps to have one like Huegel.

So what’s next?

Redshirt Junior Alex Spence will get his chance. Spence has been beaten out for the kicker position a couple of times, but now it’s time for him to step up.

Spence has a pretty powerful leg, accuracy has been an issue at times. He certainly has the talent to get the job done and, honestly, if he can just kick extra points consistently, that would be huge.

Is this a big deal? Yes.

Is it reason to say Clemson football won’t make the College Football Playoff? No.

Now, we all have to play the “waiting game.” I’m interested to see who takes kick off duties. According to the depth chart, it will be Spence.

Next: Inside the Opponent: Q&A with Boston College Expert

Luckily, Clemson football has Boston College this week, so the Tigers should be able to test some things out and see what works best.

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