Written by USC blog contributor Andie Hagemann
After a scoreless first quarter, the Trojans first touchdown against Syracuse came just two minutes into the second. Often a formality, the extra point that followed was a momentous occasion for walk-on freshman kicker Alex Wood, who made a surprising debut at MetLife Stadium.
Just four days before kickoff, Wood received the news of his life. He was USC's new starting kicker.
Despite playing in the national spotlight, Wood refused to be intimidated by his new role. "I just knew I had to practice hard, win the week by beating out the competition and proving that I should be there," Wood said. "Once I got to MetLife Stadium, it just felt like practice."
In his Trojan debut, Wood made all six of the extra points he attempted.
Unlike most players on the USC roster, Wood began his football career during his sophomore year of high school. Originally a soccer player, he was approached by the football coach of his high school, Mercer Island.
"The coach came up to me and said that he had seen me on the soccer field and told me I should try kicking a football," Wood said. "I tried out for the team and it all worked out."
After a scoreless first quarter, the Trojans first touchdown against Syracuse came just two minutes into the second. Often a formality, the extra point that followed was a momentous occasion for walk-on freshman kicker Alex Wood, who made a surprising debut at MetLife Stadium.
Just four days before kickoff, Wood received the news of his life. He was USC's new starting kicker.
Despite playing in the national spotlight, Wood refused to be intimidated by his new role. "I just knew I had to practice hard, win the week by beating out the competition and proving that I should be there," Wood said. "Once I got to MetLife Stadium, it just felt like practice."
In his Trojan debut, Wood made all six of the extra points he attempted.
Unlike most players on the USC roster, Wood began his football career during his sophomore year of high school. Originally a soccer player, he was approached by the football coach of his high school, Mercer Island.
"The coach came up to me and said that he had seen me on the soccer field and told me I should try kicking a football," Wood said. "I tried out for the team and it all worked out."
During his senior year at Mercer Island HS, Wood made 9 of 11 field goals, with his longest being 51 yards, 23 of 26 PATs, 50 touchbacks and was named to the 2011 All-King County 3A/2A League second team.
To Wood, selecting USC was an easy choice. "The recruiting process started late for me compared to most kickers," Wood said. "USC came up late in the process. I visited the campus, loved it and couldn't find anything wrong with it."
Little did Wood know how important he would be to the USC special teams unit in the second week of the season.
Wood and the Trojans will venture to Palo Alto this week to take on Stanford in the Pac-12 conference opener. Stanford has won four of the last five match-ups, and the last two put extreme pressure on the kickers.Â
"Past teams and games do not matter in regards to this game," Wood said. "I have been solely focusing on this game and each practice leading up to it."
If his number is called again, Wood will be ready to help the Trojans kick a three-game losing streak to Stanford.
To Wood, selecting USC was an easy choice. "The recruiting process started late for me compared to most kickers," Wood said. "USC came up late in the process. I visited the campus, loved it and couldn't find anything wrong with it."
Little did Wood know how important he would be to the USC special teams unit in the second week of the season.
Wood and the Trojans will venture to Palo Alto this week to take on Stanford in the Pac-12 conference opener. Stanford has won four of the last five match-ups, and the last two put extreme pressure on the kickers.Â
"Past teams and games do not matter in regards to this game," Wood said. "I have been solely focusing on this game and each practice leading up to it."
If his number is called again, Wood will be ready to help the Trojans kick a three-game losing streak to Stanford.
