DraftSeason: Taylor, what is the longest field goal you've ever made both in
practice and in a game?
Taylor: My longest field goal in both a high school and college game is 52. I don’t like just throwing a random number out there for the longest kick in practice. I’ve read some articles where the kicker says he’s made 70-75 yarders in practice. Unless you’re kicking with an enormous South Dakota (where I’m from) wind at your back, that’s not happening. I will say that I’ve hit from beyond 60 in our stadium where the wind basically just swirls.
DraftSeason: How tough is it to come back and attempt a field goal when you've
missed the previous attempt? Is it something that sticks in your mind
or do you just try to go out there with a clean slate every time you
kick the ball?
Taylor: Attempting a field goal after coming off of a miss is the hardest kick in football. Kicking is so much mental. You have to just some how put that miss past you and move onto your next kick. Nobody’s going to make every single kick they take, so the way you respond to that miss is what will ultimately determine what kind of kicker you are. In my career here at Wisconsin, I’ve responded extremely well in those types of situations.
DraftSeason: What is it like playing for head coach Bret Bielema?
Taylor: I can’t say enough about coach Bielema. He is extremely well respected. I just really like the way he handles everything. His enthusiasm, his demeanor, everything he brings to the table is what I picture in a head coach. I think he has a great vision and is able to get people to rally behind him. The things he preaches go way beyond football too. He teaches you valuable life lessons. Being a younger head coach, I think he relates to his players and is easy to communicate with.
DraftSeason: Is there one kick that you've missed that you wish you could have
back more than any other?
Taylor: Last year at home against San Diego St., I had an attempt from 56 that I really believe I should have made. I picked my head up too soon to watch it and ended up pulling it wide. That kick was really important to me because that was my chance to really set the tone for my junior year. I think it was my second attempt of the season. I just remember being so mad at myself for missing that. I would’ve done anything to have that kick back! Fortunately I was able to put that kick behind me and go on to have a great junior season.
DraftSeason: If you could compare your kicking leg to a golf club, which would it be and why?
Taylor: The first thing that came to my mind when I read this question was my driver because of my power and ability to drive the ball. Than I thought about it a little more and realized what really separates my kicking leg from others, is my combination of distance and hang-time. I really swing up and get great hang time on my kickoffs as well as lift the ball up on field goals. With that said, I think I’d have to say my 3-wood.
DraftSeason: Who was the best return man you've ever had to kick off to?
Taylor: I think the best guy I’ve had to kick to was Ted Ginn Jr. my freshman year at Ohio State. He just had an extra burst that kind of came out of nowhere. He was also unique in the way he’d receive the KO’s. I remember seeing him backpedaling into the back of the end zone (and I’m thinking to myself, “man I really crushed that ball”) then he would start sprinting forward and catch the ball 4 or 5 yards deep in the end zone and already be in full stride as he’s catching it. He was a very good return man and I’ll always be able to say I made a tackle against him in that game.
DraftSeason: How do you handle the pressure of being a kicker and knowing that the outcome of the game could very well depend on your leg?
Taylor: To handle the pressure of being a kicker, I think you just need to be confident. You have to take the field with the mind set that you’re going to drill that kick right down the middle. I love being put in the situation where the game rests on my shoulders. I’m a huge competitor and I really believe I thrive in those situations. I’ve had many big important kicks, ones that ended up being the difference for us in a 3 point win, but I am yet to have a last second game-winning opportunity.
DraftSeason: Lastly, will the Badgers win the Big Ten this year?
Taylor: Hahaha…We’re just worrying about this week’s game. Coach Bielema has stressed the motto of being 1-0 every week. It’s all about just being the best team in the stadium on that given game day. If we can take care of our business every week, we’ll be where we want to be at the end of the year. I’ve used the same motto with my kicking. I’m just taking it one kick at a time. |
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