Josh Arauco’s Leg Gives ASU Confidence

It takes untold pressure off an offense when those players know a field goal is a sure thing in the red zone.

For Arkansas State, 3 points was almost a sure thing last year from 40 yards on in. Josh Arauco had a streak of 15 straight field goals last season before finally missing. For his three-year college career, the Grand Prairie, Texas, native has hit 44 of 59 attempts.

Last year, Arauco was invited to Orlando, Fla., for the Lou Groza Award presentation as one of the three finalists.

Arauco’s trick, according to ASU head coach Steve Roberts, is putting the practice time in all year. “He’s the hardest working kicker that I’ve been around in my life,” the coach said. “From 40 yards in, I have a great deal of confidence in his ability.”

Arauco spent the offseason and summer in Jonesboro leading into this season, trying to add more leg strength. His goal in 2009 is to be more effective from the 50-yard range.

“A major part of my success last season was building confidence in myself and getting my leg strength up so I could kick field goals of decent-enough length … but I pride accuracy over leg strength any day. I will do accuracy drills over strengthening exercises.”

Off-season running, he said, is his most important work for increasing his leg speed, and he naturally expects being a year older to play in to additional leg strength.

“I’m just doing what John Arcey, our strength and conditioning coach, wants. The major part of my focus last summer was to continue to make myself a weapon for this team. I didn’t’ reach my goal last summer distance wise, but I’m getting there.”

Arauco confidently told a reporter last year that he would go 100 percent from 40 yards in, and came close to hitting that mark. After the season came the call from the Lou Groza Award folks for an all-expense paid trip to Florida.

“Actually, I had no idea about that award. I didn’t know there was a place-kicking award, so it definitely was a surprise,” he said of the trip that had him sharing stage time with quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford during ESPN’s coverage.