Mississippi State football's Mike Leach 'not sure' who will be starting kicker at LSU
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football’s kicking woes made their first appearance in Saturday’s trip to Arizona. Though MSU pulled away for a 39-17 win, Massimo Biscardi’s two missed extra points served as a harsh reminder of last season’s struggles.
But Ben Raybon settled concerns in relief. He made three extra point attempts, a pair of field goals and recorded eight touchbacks in as many kickoffs.
However, coach Mike Leach didn’t commit to Raybon being the starter ahead of MSU's trip to LSU (1-1) on Saturday (5 p.m., ESPN).
“I’m not sure,” Leach said Monday. “I think he certainly did some good things. We'll see in practice and evaluate.”
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Leach joked Saturday about needing to recruit holders capable of handling lefty kickers. That role belongs to punter Archer Trafford, who had experience with a lefty at Air Force.
Raybon transferred to MSU (2-0) in January from Northern Colorado, where he made 8 of 14 field goals in 2021.
His move, along with Biscardi coming from Coastal Carolina, was welcomed after poor kicking in Starkville. Brandon Ruiz made 5 of 9 attempts while Nolan McCord was 9 of 16. Both left the program in the offseason.
Following a Nov. 6 three-point loss at Arkansas in which MSU missed three field goals, Leach called for open tryouts. Raybon saved his coach from doing so in the desert.
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football's Mike Leach 'not sure' on starting kicker
