Limelight lures kicker to Vegas

Today’s Q&A is with senior kicker and punter Kyle Watson, a white player from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., who began his college career at historically black college Texas Southern. Watson and the Rebels play No. 24 Utah at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

 

1. What was the experience at Texas Southern like?

I’m glad I went there. It was definitely interesting, opening me up to a lot of things I never (had) learned or seen before. So it was interesting to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and see how an HBC operates.

2. Did being a minority on campus take a little getting used to at first?

People there took me in with open arms and made me feel comfortable as it went on, but I definitely was out of place and felt uncomfortable at first. It’s a different surrounding than what I’m used to in Southern California.

3. Why did you choose Texas Southern?

Coach (DeChon) Burns, a coach that recruited me there, was a really cool guy, made me feel comfortable going there and made me believe a lot of things about the team. But when it was all said and done, it was my only full-ride offer out of high school.

4. Why did you to leave?

It was a good experience, don’t get me wrong, but I was expecting a little more for a college football atmosphere. I wanted to play big schools, be in the limelight, play on TV. Here, I have a chance to do (that).

5. What was Burns’ reaction to you leaving?

He definitely had a sour taste because he went out of his way to take me in and offer me a full ride, and they were expecting me to be there for four years, obviously. It was really a surprise to them because I didn’t really tell any of the coaches or players that I was planning on leaving at the end of the year.

So they were definitely dissatisfied with what I did, but at the same time, they were right behind me helping me out so I could push forward.

6. Did your success last season (making seven of eight field goals) give you confidence?

I did all the kicking at Texas Southern in 2005, but ’06 sat out and ’07 only did kickoffs. So it had been two years since I had done field goals live, so I was a little nervous coming into 2008 when I did the short field goals. That is what got me comfortable.

7. Do you ever think about your extra-point streak (now at a school-record 59)?

The game that I tied it, I got text messages, "I just saw it on TV. They flashed that you tied it." So the only time I actually thought about it was that next game, like, "Oh, man, this is to get it. This is scary." But after that, it’s just another kick.

8. How do you mentally prepare for what you think might be a big kick?

I try not to psych myself out like that … because when it’s all said and done, a field goal in the first quarter can be just as costly and as important as one in the last minute of the fourth.

9. But when you lined up for the game-tying 50-yarder at Wyoming (a dropped snap prevented Watson from attempting the kick), were there a few extra butterflies?

Oh definitely, but that’s what I strive for. I love all the weight on my shoulders, everyone relying on me.

10. Do you think you would’ve made that kick?

I had no doubt in my mind. Throughout warm-ups, especially with the elevation and the wind behind my back, I was drilling all the long ones.

11. What do you say to those who don’t consider kickers as part of the team?

It’s true in the sense that we don’t do half the work as these guys out here. We don’t have any plays to study or anything to memorize. You just have to go out and kick. But I would say on the other hand, it’s definitely more pressure and mental strength than physically, but everyone here treats us the same. We go out in winter conditioning in the offseason and beat them in the drills, so they give us some respect.

12. So are you close to your teammates?

This is one of the closest teams I’ve ever played on.

13. How did you become a kicker?

I played travel soccer while growing up, and I didn’t even play football till I got to high school. … It’s the last sport I thought I’d be doing in college. Baseball and soccer were my main sports growing up.

14. Who are you pulling for in the baseball playoffs?

I’ve got to go Angels. The Dodgers are second behind.

15. Did you grow up going to games?

My grandma had season tickets to the Dodgers.

16. Is baseball your favorite sport?

It’s probably my favorite sport to watch and play. I’d have to say (to watch) at the stadium. On TV, it can get a little slow.

17. What do you like to watch on TV?

Football, no doubt, and college basketball.

18. What’s your favorite NFL team?

The Colts. I like Peyton Manning. I follow more players than teams.

19. What TV shows do you like?

The main shows I like to catch up on are "Family Guy," "Futurama," "The Simpsons," "King of the Hill," those kind of things. But I usually just put it on "SportsCenter" and let it rerun every half-hour.

20. Any favorite movies?

"Saw." That’s my series. It’s kind of weird, but I like those gory, science movies that put you on the edge of your chair.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.