Kyle Christy went from being a preseason All-American to inside Will Muschamp’s doghouse.
Now, it does not look like he is coming out any time soon.
The junior punter has lost his starting job to freshman Johnny Townsend, Muschamp announced Monday. Christy, who led the Southeastern Conference in punting last season, is ranked 10th in 2013.
“We need to make a change,” Muschamp said. “We’ve been very inconsistent punting the ball throughout the season.”
Christy has had a puzzling start to his second full season as a starter. He was a key contributor to an 11-2 team that dominated the field-position battle in top-10 wins against No. 4 LSU and No. 7 South Carolina in 2012.
Now, he is struggling with both distance and placement. Christy botched two opportunities to pin the Tigers deep in their own territory on Saturday, which drew the ire of Muschamp and special teams coordinator Jeff Choate.
Christy’s struggles may be mental as much as anything. A second-team All-American and Ray Guy Award finalist, he set the program record in average punt distance last season before regressing this year.
Correcting his issues has been a joint effort from Christy and the Florida coaching staff to improve his technique, ball placement and leg swing, but Muschamp has grown tired of waiting for improved results.
Townsend is the second specialist to earn a starting job.
Walk-on Francisco Velez drilled two field goals against LSU, replacing redshirt freshman Austin Hardin as UF’s starting kicker.
“We’ll move forward with the guys that perform the best,” Muschamp said.
Powell dealing with injury: Ronald Powell suffered an ankle injury against LSU but is expected to return to practice by Wednesday.
The redshirt junior, who missed all of 2012 after suffering a torn ACL prior to the season, leads Florida with seven quarterback hurries and is second with two sacks.
“I hope to know more in the next 72 hours and see how the swelling goes,” Muschamp said.
Shaky run defense raises questions: Zach Mettenberger is not shy about ruffling feathers. The senior quarterback pushed Buck linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. following LSU’s first touchdown.
He also had this to say after the win: “There was a lot of talking leading up to this game. We just wanted to remind Florida who we were, and I think the offensive line really played great.”
A 121-yard rushing performance from sophomore Jeremy Hill gave Florida a stark reminder. Hill averaged 5.8 yards a carry on first down.
“Rushing defense is something we take pride in, and coach Muschamp definitely speaks on it every game: We’re going to stop the run,” safety Jaylen Watkins said. “The past few weeks, I wouldn’t say that we did a good job of stopping the run.”
Nothing easy about injuries: ESPN radio host Dan Le Batard asked Georgia coach Mark Richt a question last week during an on-air segment: What do you hate most about your job?
Richt responded with a simple, yet poignant, answer: He does not enjoy seeing players writhing on the field in pain knowing their seasons are over.
No. 15 Georgia has seen its roster decimated by injuries. No. 22 Florida can relate.
Florida has suffered seven season-ending injuries since the start of training camp.
“More than anything, I hate it for the young men. They put a lot of time and effort into playing in this game and for that to happen, I’m disappointed for them first of all,” Muschamp said.
“That’s what hurts the most, to see guys go through the struggle and having to make that phone call and tell them what’s going on, or having to walk them in the training room to tell them what’s happening.”
Follow Adam Pincus on Twitter @adamDpincus.
Kyle Christy punts the ball during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Oct. 5 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The junior punter lost his starting job to freshman Johnny Townsend after several weeks of poor performances.
