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SALT LAKE CITY — Andy Phillips story has been well publicized by now. He is an alpine skier that is now a football player.
It is very reminiscent of Happy Gilmore who introduced himself while entering a golf tournament, "I'm a hockey player but I'm playing golf today."
Put yourself in Kyle Whittingham's shoes, or special teams coach Jay Hill's shoes for a moment. There are kids that come in all the time wanting to walk-on the football team. Imagine the coaches' faces when Andy Phillips comes in and basically says, "Hi, I am a skier but I am playing football today."
Fast forward to now and look at what this kid has done. Andy Phillips was 3/3 on field goals including a 45-yarder, 3/3 on extra points, and executing a possible season-changing on-side kick in his first ever start at Utah.
The kicking game during spring and fall camp for the Utes was a gigantic question mark but after the game against Utah State it looks like the surest part of the team. Phillips realizes with his U.S. Ski team experience, you are only as good as your last run, er kick.
"I have never received this much attention. It's all so new and it's awesome but at the same time I've got to keep my head because it's just one game. We are 1-0 but in order to be great you have to be consistent so that's my focus," Phillips said.
It is only one game, but the way in which he performed looked like a seasoned veteran with ice in his veins.
"I hopefully answered some questions that game and will answer more questions throughout the season," Phillips finished.
You did Andy, you did.
