Kicker Andy Pappanastos beginning to make a name for himself at Alabama
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Call him “Papa Nasty.”
Alabama kicker Any Pappanastos admits teammates are still getting used to saying his name. By now, the walk-on kicker is accustomed to having teammates resort to nicknames instead of stumbling over his last name. Right now, he’s just glad to be finally cementing his role on the team.
“It’s a lot easier than my last name,” Pappanastos said with a grin. “It’s good thing to have a nickname in the first place.”
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Pappanastos made both of his field goal attempts from 46 yards and 43 yards out during Saturday’s 41-23 win over Colorado State. The kicks mark the two longest makes of his career and extend a streak of five straight made field goals, dating back to a missed 41-yard try against Florida State.
“Honestly, I really think it’s confidence,” Pappanastos said. “I’ve really have tried my best to realize I belong out there. I put in a lot of hard work, and I just need to keep doing that. Nothing’s really going to change for me.”
Watch: Nick Saban's Press Conference following Colorado State
Pappanastos has now made 7 of 9 field goals on the season, a solid 78-percent conversion rate that seemed improbable at the start of the season. The former Ole Miss transfer took plenty of heat following the season opener where he was 3 of 5, missing from 42 yards and 41 yards respectively while making easier kicks from 35 yards, 25 yards and 33 yards out.
Plenty has changed in the span of two weeks.
“I feel a whole lot more comfortable,” Pappanastos said. “It was great to get in that environment specifically, just really do the best that I can. I took some positives away. I feel like I left a lot out there. I was able to take some pieces, put it together in practice, and I’m in a good rhythm and routine right now.”
The turning point came when Pappanastos received some wisdom from a former Alabama great, albeit of a different sport. Following his Week 1 performance, Pappanastos said he was able to connect with former Alabama golfer Justin Thomas who provided the kicker with some crucial advice to handling pressure situations.
Pappanastos isn’t alone on the team in receiving advice from pro golfers. Earlier in the week, punter JK Scott said he’s received a few tips from Jordan Spieth.
While golfers might not know too much about kicking a football, Thomas’ PGA Championship-winning performance proved he's a master at coming up in the clutch. After recently being connected by a mutual friend, Pappanastos says he soaks up the wisdom on a regular basis.
“I’ve talked with him several times, just picking his brain about the mental aspect of it,” Pappanastos said. “Since I talked to him, I haven’t missed.
“I’m really fortunate for that. He’s like over-the-top helpful. I was talking to him on the phone for about 30 minutes, and literally wrote down notes. He just talked about what your mentality has to be on the sidelines. You want to have the ball, you want to be able to kick it, and I’ve been really able to implement that. The results have been really good so far. I owe him a lot for that.”
As long as the field goals continue to keep sailing through the uprights, Pappanastos said he’s going to keep doing what works. The goal is to ultimately become a name Alabama can rely on. Whether that’s is real last name or “Pappa Nasty” doesn’t really matter.