UNIVERSITY PARK — SMU’s starting kicker Collin Rogers had a memorable start to last season — but not in the way he would’ve hoped.
Rogers started 2-for-5 in SMU’s first two games last year, requiring quite the turnaround as the season progressed.
He ended up doing so, ending the season as an All-AAC first-team kicker.
But this year, he’s wasted no time picking up where he left off.
When SMU turned to its kicker drive after drive in Friday’s game against BYU, he delivered. Rogers accounted for all 15 points in SMU’s 18-15 loss to BYU Friday night at Ford Stadium. He set a program record with five made field goals in a game and tied the program record for 44 made field goals in a career.
“I’m really proud of him,” SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said. “He’s kicked the ball really well the first three games. Even when you are moving the ball and scoring touchdowns and things that we need to do better, you’re going to have clutch kicks you need in games to win. It was good for him to get that confidence tonight.”
SMU’s drives continued to stall just past midfield, but Rogers ensured they’d get points each time. He set a new career long on his first boot of the day for 53 yards before following it up with 52-, 38-, 28- and 45-yarders.
Rogers only got the chance to kick one field goal against Houston Christian last week, but he scored some critical points for SMU in both of its close games this season, starting 6-for-7 through three games. His only miss of the year was from 51 yards.
The junior, who now has 261 career points, ranks sixth on the program’s all-time scoring list and is just 27 points away from tying Doak Walker, Eric Dickerson and Xavier Jones, who lead with 288.
