Loyola of Maryland took a much slower route to the NCAA lacrosse championship game than the Greyhounds are accustomed to.SOUTH BEND – Notre Dame kicker David Ruffer understands the skepticism when it comes to his ability.
The transfer student, who started as a walk-on with the Irish before taking over the starting job, can hardly fathom how his career has evolved.
“You can’t really say it is a dream come true, because I never really dreamt it,” said Ruffer, who played golf, not football, in high school growing up in Oakton, Va.
Ruffer’s 16 consecutive field goals made, a streak that started in the final three games last season, is the longest consecutive streak in school history. In fact, he’s 16 for 16 in his career.
Entering Saturday’s game against Western Michigan (2-3), Ruffer’s perfect mark of 11 for 11 field goals this season is bettered only by Southern Mississippi kicker Danny Hrapmann, who hasn’t missed in 14 attempts.
Not bad for a guy who transferred to Notre Dame from William & Mary in 2008, started his kicking career at Siegfried Hall in interhall games and joined the Irish during a bye week two years ago.
“When you hear that, your expectations are not that he is going to do what he’s doing,” coach Brian Kelly said. “Now to see what he is doing, obviously, he’s exceeding all of the thoughts that we had.”
Kelly and the new coaching staff thought enough of Ruffer during fall camp to name him the starter over Nick Tausch, who missed the last three games last year because of injury.
After being named starter this season, Ruffer responded by making three field goals in a 23-12 win over Purdue on Sept. 4, and he added another three in a 23-17 win over Pittsburgh last weekend. He also hit a career-long 50-yarder against the Panthers.
“I think that a little bit of a laid-back attitude has helped my focus a little bit,” Ruffer said of his success. “It sounds contradictory in nature, but relaxing a little bit in school and trying to enjoy a little bit of this last year here and be more relaxed has really helped.”
Ruffer is also helped by being surrounded by players who have traveled a similar road.
Holder Ryan Kavanagh and snapper Bill Flavin are also walk-ons.
Ruffer credits Kavanagh for helping him stay calm during games.
“I don’t tell him a knock-knock joke on the way out there. I just try and make sure he is focused on the right things,” Kavanagh said of their in-game interactions. “It’s ‘Never miss a kick, and life will be good, and keep making them.’ ”
Notes
Tight end Kyle Rudolph (hamstring) will have season-ending surgery in South Bend on Friday, Kelly said. … Running back Armando Allen will be handled cautiously this weekend because of a hip flexor. He will dress Saturday. … Running back Jonas Gray (knee) has been cleared to play after missing the past two games. … Right tackle Taylor Dever (hamstring) remains a game-time decision.
