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Texas Tech Football: Freshman Kicker Michael Ewton Pressed Into Action

By Matthew Conner

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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An injury to pre-season all-Big 12 kicker Clayton Hatfield has forced the Texas Tech football team to rely on true freshman Michael Ewton to man one of the most important positions on the team.

In Texas Tech’s season opening home win over Eastern Washington on Saturday, observant fans may have noticed a change at one of the most important individual positions on the team, place kicker.  True freshman kicker Michael Ewton from Allen, Texas was pressed into action unexpectedly when junior kicker Clayton Hatfield was sidelined by injury.

Ewton was perfect in his debut connecting on all eight of his extra point attempts.  Although, he was not asked to attempt a field goal, something that would have been nice for him to practice in the blow out victory.

Therefore, it is likely that his first field goal try will come in a more pressure-packed moment in games against Arizona State or Houston which are expected to be more competitive.  That thought is certain to make Red Raider fans a bit uneasy.

However, Ewton did kick on one of the grandest stages possible in high school.  Kicking for 6-A powerhouse Allen in their $60 million stadium in front of as many as 20,000 fans is as close to a Big 12 atmosphere as any high school kicker can experience.

As a senior, the former soccer player was arguably the best kicker in Texas prep football.  He was a perfect 44-44 on extra point attempts, an area in which the Red Raiders struggled last season missing five (including one against Oklahoma State that cost Tech a shot at an upset).

Ewton was also 10-11 on field goal attempts including five successful tries of over 40 yards.  He even had a 51-yard make to his credit last season.  For his efforts, he was named all-state for class 6-A.

Now, the Texas Tech job appears to be Ewton’s for the foreseeable future.  Following Saturday’s game, Kingsbury did not sound confident that Hatfield would be returning anytime soon.

"“I would think we’d see him at some point during the season.” he told the “Lubbock Avalanche-Journal”."

In 24 games over the past two seasons, Hatfield has nailed 27 of 30 field goal attempts (90%) with a career long of 51 yards.  He was the fourth-most accurate kicker in the nation and earned second-team all-Big 12 honors.

Hatfield also split kickoff duties in 2016 with sophomore Michael Barden who handled all of the Red Raiders’ kickoff’s against EWU.  Barden averaged 65.7 yards per kickoff on nine kicks with five touchbacks.  However, he did have one kick sail out of bounds, a mistake that must be avoided in more competitive games.

Next: Texas Tech Football Receives Week One Recognition

Texas Tech has been fortunate to have above average success in the place kicking game in recent years.  For that trend to continue, young Michael Ewton will have to prove that the moxie he showed in high school will stay with him at Texas Tech.  Keep an eye on this important position as Texas Tech moves through the season because history suggests that at least one game may be decided on the foot of the true freshman.

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