Jackson's Ressel wastes little time making an impact

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri is 2-0 heading into Saturday's game against Furman, thanks in no small part to the Tigers' kicking game.

New kicker Grant Ressel and punter Jake Harry IV were solid in the opener against Illinois and played pivotal roles in the 27-20 come-from-behind win over Bowling Green last Saturday.

Ressel was perfect on two field goals and three extra-point attempts. Harry averaged 45.4 yards on seven punts, including a 69-yarder that coach Gary Pinkel called a "game-changer."

Ressel, a redshirt sophomore from Jackson, is in the difficult spot of replacing one of the most accurate kickers in NCAA history. In three seasons at Missouri, Jeff Wolfert was a two-time All-Big 12 selection who was 185 for 185 on extra-point tries and 59 for 72 on field-goal tries.

Ressel said his goal is to keep it simple -- after all, there's enough pressure from hungry defenders, hopeful teammates and screaming fans.

"I just go out and concentrate on my tempo and kick the ball," Ressel said.

So far, so good. He has made all five field-goal tries and is 7 for 7 on extra-point attempts as the Tigers prepare to host Furman (2-0) on Saturday at Faurot Field.

Ressel, who won the job over converted Columbia (Mo.) College soccer goalie Tanner Mills in fall camp, made three first-half field goals in the opener against Illinois in St. Louis, staking Missouri to a 16-3 halftime lead. The Tigers went on to win 37-9.

On Saturday, with quarterback Blaine Gabbert and the offense sputtering in the first half, Ressel's two field goals kept the Tigers within a touchdown at the break, 13-6.

"Grant obviously has been a huge plus for us," Pinkel said. "Every point matters."

Harry also played a big role in Missouri's come-from-behind win over Bowling Green. Trailing 13-3 midway through the second quarter and punting from the Missouri 12-yard line, the senior used a rugby style rollout punt that went 69 yards -- most of it in the air -- and pinned the Falcons to their own 19.

"That was one of the best punts I've ever been associated with," Pinkel said. "It was truly a game-changing field position play."

Harry began learning the art of the rugby style line drive punt at the suggestion of the Missouri coaching staff.

"That was probably the best punt I've ever had by far," he said.

Missouri's offense has been so good in recent seasons that punters rarely have made it onto the field. Harry punted just 26 times last season while sharing duties with Wolfert. His seven punts Saturday were the most by a Missouri player since Adam Crossett had seven in the 2007 season opener against Illinois.