Kicked out

It's way early and there is plenty of time for improvement, but Iowa's kickers didn't impress during Saturday's scrimmage at Kinnick Stadium.

Granted, this is one exposure from 15 spring practices. But here's head coach Kirk Ferentz on senior Daniel Murray and sophomore Trent Mossbrucker.

"It's been underwhelming, quite frankly," Ferentz said. "We've  been very inconsistent. We've flashed, but we haven't been consistent. I'm not sure what's the cause of that, but we're not consistent like we need to be, at this point, with that position."

Murray made 19 of 26 field goals last season. His 19 field goals tied for the Big Ten lead and his 73.1 percentage was fourth. Mossbrucker took a redshirt in ‘09. As a true freshman, Mossbrucker made 13 of 15 field goals.

Saturday was inconsistent to say the least.

Murray made just 3 of 7 attempts. During special teams drills, he made 2 of 6 from 39 yards. The line drive kicks that plagued him last season were back on Saturday. His last miss during this drill was a line drive that hooked sharply wide left.

During the same drill, Mossbrucker was 4 of 4, squeezing a few just inside the right upright.

During the two timed 15-minute quarters, each kicker had a chance.

Mossbrucker pushed a 44-yarder wide right from the right hash, finishing the day 4 of 5. Murray drilled a 42-yarder.

The last couple springs and falls, Murray held a distinct leg strength advantage over Mossbrucker. That seems to have disappeared.

There's time, but kicking stands for now at "underwhelming."