Spring Break
Dodge packs an added punch to ECU special teams
Punter earns respect in the weight room
Kellen Holtzman
Issue date: 7/23/08 Section: Sports
His time spent on a then-budding FCS powerhouse gives the strapping player all the confidence needed to master environments like the ones he will face in the Virginia Tech game in Charlotte and N.C. State in Raleigh.
"I got more experience that freshman year than I could ever imagine," Dodge said of his one season at ASU. "Being able to have the opportunity to play on ESPN as a little 18-year-old kicking in the national championship game--there's no substitute for that."
Dodge's fond memories of glory don't have an effect on his desire, or lack thereof, to schedule a visit from his former team anytime soon though.
"When I played, we went down to Baton Rouge and played LSU and we played them real tough." Dodge said of the Mountaineers' talent level. "I would say the biggest difference is the size across the front.
"…Speed-wise, they're pretty close to us, but I would say overall we are a lot bigger than they [ASU] are."
Dodge's disdain of cold weather and pursuit of a construction management degree contributed to his return to eastern North Carolina. The former all-state kicker and class president at West Carteret High School plans to go into business with his father in his hometown of Morehead City.
As for his work on the field, Dodge punted 80 times for 3,307 yards in his first season as a Pirate in 2007.
Dodge's season highlights included a booming 67-yard punt in the first quarter at UTEP and the second-longest punt in Hawaii Bowl history, a 61-yarder in the second quarter.
Powerful punts are impressive but placement is equally important in a punter's world. Dodge's best outing in this regard came against Houston when he guided five punts inside the 20-yard line.
His duties may not always be limited to kicking however; Dodge brought Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium to life last season against in N.C. State with a nine-yard first down run on a gutsy fake-punt call.
If he can improve his consistency, expect Dodge to have a big year in 2008--and don't be surprised if Holtz and offensive coordinator Todd Fitch have something sneaky drawn up for Dodge this season.
Dodge is especially looking forward to ECU's first game in Charlotte, the former home of Todd Sauerbrun, a feisty ex- Carolina Panthers punter, who many have likened Dodge to.
"It's been a dream of mine to play in Charlotte," said Dodge. "I'm going to have a lot of family coming down there [Charlotte] and that's probably the game I'm most looking forward to."
August 30, the Pirates will face off against Virginia Tech in a noon kickoff at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
"I got more experience that freshman year than I could ever imagine," Dodge said of his one season at ASU. "Being able to have the opportunity to play on ESPN as a little 18-year-old kicking in the national championship game--there's no substitute for that."
Dodge's fond memories of glory don't have an effect on his desire, or lack thereof, to schedule a visit from his former team anytime soon though.
"When I played, we went down to Baton Rouge and played LSU and we played them real tough." Dodge said of the Mountaineers' talent level. "I would say the biggest difference is the size across the front.
"…Speed-wise, they're pretty close to us, but I would say overall we are a lot bigger than they [ASU] are."
Dodge's disdain of cold weather and pursuit of a construction management degree contributed to his return to eastern North Carolina. The former all-state kicker and class president at West Carteret High School plans to go into business with his father in his hometown of Morehead City.
As for his work on the field, Dodge punted 80 times for 3,307 yards in his first season as a Pirate in 2007.
Dodge's season highlights included a booming 67-yard punt in the first quarter at UTEP and the second-longest punt in Hawaii Bowl history, a 61-yarder in the second quarter.
Powerful punts are impressive but placement is equally important in a punter's world. Dodge's best outing in this regard came against Houston when he guided five punts inside the 20-yard line.
His duties may not always be limited to kicking however; Dodge brought Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium to life last season against in N.C. State with a nine-yard first down run on a gutsy fake-punt call.
If he can improve his consistency, expect Dodge to have a big year in 2008--and don't be surprised if Holtz and offensive coordinator Todd Fitch have something sneaky drawn up for Dodge this season.
Dodge is especially looking forward to ECU's first game in Charlotte, the former home of Todd Sauerbrun, a feisty ex- Carolina Panthers punter, who many have likened Dodge to.
"It's been a dream of mine to play in Charlotte," said Dodge. "I'm going to have a lot of family coming down there [Charlotte] and that's probably the game I'm most looking forward to."
August 30, the Pirates will face off against Virginia Tech in a noon kickoff at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
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