Harvey showing big improvement for Tigers

COLUMBIA, Mo.-- Brock Harvey's final punt of 2001 summed up his season: a pooch punt against Michigan State that went all of 10 yards before bouncing backward for a net of minus 4 yards.

This year, things have been different. Despite a subpar showing in last week's 52-38 loss at Texas Tech, Harvey's performance has improved markedly this season for the Tigers (3-4 overall, 0-3 Big 12).

When coach Gary Pinkel brought in junior college transfer punter Todd Gohsler in the spring, Harvey fought hard to keep his starting job. He went to a punting camp in Kansas City, Mo., to re-learn the fundamentals. He also changed his motion from three steps to 2 1/2.

"One of the big things for me is getting the ball off in under 2.1 (seconds)," Pinkel said. "I don't care if it goes 15 yards, but you have to get it off before 2.1. He really struggled a year ago with that. When you get the timing down, you can focus on becoming a great punter."

In two-a-days this summer, Harvey started to impress teammates and coaches with longer distance and better accuracy, re-earning the starting job.

"Since he went to that camp, it's just amazing how much higher that ball goes and how much farther that ball goes," kicker Mike Matheny said. "It changes the game."

Harvey averages 43.2 yards per punt, three more yards than last season, and has kicked five punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

"Anytime you work on something, things are going to change for the better," Harvey said.

Harvey, a Jefferson City native, attributes much of his success to long snapper Zach Strom.

"He's been 100 percent every game," Harvey said. "He puts the ball on the money every time."

Matheny has developed quickly, too. The walk-on kicker has made seven of his last eight field goals, including two from 44 yards.

"It really helps to have the punting and kicking aspects of your kicking game stabilized," Pinkel said. "We're not there yet, but it's stabilized that you have a punter that you feel you can win with and you have a field goal kicker you can win with."