We're counting down every SU football player from Chandler Jones (#99) to Phil Thomas (#1). Keep track of every player profile right here.
Next up on your Orange-Man Orientation, #19, Ryan Lichtenstein.
Position: Placekicker
Year: Junior
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 161
Hometown: Monroeville, PA
High School: Gateway
2010 Stats: Lichy didn't actually get a chance to kick any field goals or extra points last season, though he was thrust into the role of punter late in the year when Rob Long left the team. He kicked two punts for 62 yards, a 31-yard average. That's a lot better than I could do.
2011 Projections: Benjamin Linus once said, "Destiny is a fickle bitch" and Ryan Lichtenstein knows this all-too-well. A walk-on at Syracuse as a freshman, Lichy skyrocketed to the top of the charts and became SU's placekicker when everyone ahead of him either quit (Raupers) or just couldn't cut it. All he did was go 13-17 on field goals and kick a game-winner to beat Northwestern for an emotional victory that cemented the Lichtenstein legend and made sure he was destined to be our kicker for years to come.
Then Ross Krautman arrived and everything changed (I suppose you could make the argument Lichtenstein is Ben Linus and Krautman is John Locke. Discuss!) For the remainder of his time here, it looks like Lichy will be our No. 2 kicker. Nothing's set in stone but he's going to have to hope Das Boot falls to pieces if he's going to see time on the field kicking game-winners in the future.
The silver lining, at least, is that he's on schollie these days.
How'd He Get Here?: The three-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/Tribune Review All-Conference First Teamer didn't receive any offers. Minnesota and Boston College invited him to walk on, but Lichtenstein felt he had the best opportunity at Syracuse.And, at least for one season, he was right.
Scouts/Rivals Said:. Scout gave him no rating while Rivals didn't think much either.
Money Quote: "On the punting aspect at least, I talked to my dad just about every day and he tried to reassure me that I would be fine...Obviously, my senior year of high school I averaged close to 41 yards. I’ve played in extreme games, extreme weather in Pittsburgh, so I’m just going to do the best I can."
Links of Wonder: Eventually, they figured out how to spell his name correctly.
Doug Marrone Thinks: "Ryan Lichtenstein has been tremendous for us so far," head coach Doug Marrone said. "We went through a lot of issues early on with the kicking situation back and forth, but Ryan has stepped up for us and done a tremendous job." - The rare Double Tremendous for Lichy after his game-winner.
Interesting Nugget O'Interest: While we've had some fun referring to Ryan as LICHTENSTEIN! as a reference of sorts to the country that shares his name (as well as Young Frankenstein)...the tiny nation is actually spelled Liechtenstein.
Let Us Get A Good Look Atchya: Lichy talks about his game-winner against Northwestern two seasons ago...