Arkansas Kicker Impresses Predecessors

When Zach Hocker lined up to attempt a 51-yard field goal at South Carolina, Kendall Trainor knew it was an important moment. Everything Hocker had done to that point had been impressive. His demeanor toward every kick never wavered. His mechanics had been practically flawless. The 50-yard threshold can present a few challenges, Trainor said Thursday afternoon. "Generally at 50 yards is when you start saying, ‘I’ve got to do some things a little bit differently," said Trainor, who made four field goals of 50 yards or more during his Arkansas career (1985-88). "I told my wife he’s going to have to do exactly what he’s done on every other kick this season in order for him to have an opportunity to make this." "Quite honestly, he didn’t do anything different than on any other kick I’ve seen him take this year." Hocker’s 51-yard field goal, which was part of Arkansas’ 41-20 win, left another impression on his coaches, teammates and Razorbacks fans. It helped him improve to 10-for-11 on field goals this season, including 5-for-6 on kicks of 40 yards or more. It also left a smile on the faces of some former Arkansas kickers as well, who have welcomed Hocker into their unofficial 50-yard field goal fraternity. Hocker became just the sixth Arkansas kicker to boot a field goal of 50 yards. The list includes Trainor (four), Bill McClard (three), Todd Wright (three), Ish Ordonez (two) and Steve Little (nine). Trainor, McClard, Little and, now, Hocker, are the only four to make field goals of 51 yards or longer at Arkansas.