2004 Cardinal Football Preview - Special Teams
August 20, 2004 | Football
Aug. 20, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Cardinals will have to replace one of the school's and conference's top placekickers with the graduation of Nate Smith. Spring practice was an open competition for the kicking job, and the Cardinals feel much better about this position after spring drills. Arthur Carmody is an untested youngster who red-shirted last season, but has plenty of potential. Carmody is an All-State performer who is one of the team's most accurate kickers, and used the spring to garner much-needed experience. Carmody showed accuracy and a surprisingly strong leg in the spring. He consistently hit from 40 yards and was precise from over 50 yards. Todd Flannery is another player with potential, and received some valuable practice time in the spring. Flannery is valuable because he can kickoff, kick field goals and handle the punting chores. Rob Zarrilli is also in the mix, which will create a competitive battle this fall. Zarrilli is the front-runner to handle the kickoff duties. Sophomore Brent Moody will resume his duties at punter after a solid first season. Kicking in 12 games, Moody averaged 39.5 yards a punt and placed 12 inside the 20-yard line. Flannery will also compete at punter this fall. Junior Broderick Clark will continue his role at kick returner. Slowed by injuries last season, Clark's numbers dipped to 19.5 yards a return after finishing second in the nation in that category in 2002. Harry Douglas, Montrell Jones, Michael Bush, Reggie Bradshaw, Lionel Gates and Antoine Sharp will each get a look returning kicks this spring. Robert Haskins took over the punt return duties and did a solid job, averaging 7.7 yards a return. Petrino and his staff will also look at Jones, Rod Council, William Gay, Antoine Harris and Douglas this fall as punt returners.
