Diving right in

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Diver-turned-kicker Jeff Wolfert missed his first career field goal attempt this season for Missouri. He's been almost perfect ever since.

The sophomore from Overland Park, Kan., who came to Missouri in 2004 on a diving scholarship, has become the Tigers' most quietly consistent source of points this year. After beating out senior Adam Crossett, Wolfert has made 17 of 19 field goals this season and all 40 of his extra-point attempts.

Coach Gary Pinkel said the self-described adrenaline junkie doesn't say much at practice or in team meetings, but his presence is still known.

Wolfert "just comes in and makes kicks," Pinkel said. "He's been hugely important. You just count on the guy."

The consistency has been surprising even to Wolfert. As a freshman diver, Wolfert finished in the top six in three events at the 2004 Big 12 Championships and was poised for a successful career. But he always wondered if he could make it in football as a kicker.

Pinkel didn't announce Wolfert as the starter until the week of the opener against Murray State, and he started off shaky, missing a 41-yard attempt against the Racers on his first try.

Wolfert also missed a 36-yard try the following week against Mississippi. But he hasn't missed since. His string of 14 straight included a 54-yarder Nov. 4 against Nebraska. Including extra points, the Lou Groza Award semifinalist has made 46 consecutive kicks. He made three field goals in a 42-17 win over Kansas on Saturday.

"I knew I could do it in practice," Wolfert said. "But to come out in a game and perform at a high level, no one really knows until they try it."

Against Kansas, Wolfert broke Crossett's school record for points by a kicker in a season. Crossett had 81 points last season; Wolfert now has 90 with a bowl game still left to play.

Wolfert said his experience on the diving board has been a help.

"There's a big aspect of the mental game. If you conquer that, you set yourself up well," Wolfert said. "I was a big-time diver and the approach, it's all the same. You have your steps right and you need to be mentally prepared and practice it."