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Feature Stories: 9/21/10 in South Bend Tribune |
AT STANFORD: Fifth-year senior is projected to hold down the kicking duties again this season...began his collegiate career at Notre Dame and played for the Irish in 2006 and '07 after making the team as a walk-on...came into his own towards the end of last season...enters the 2010 campaign having made his last five field goal attempts, including two kicks of 40 or more yards...has converted six of his last seven and eight of his last 10 attempts dating back to the Oregon game last season.
2009 (JUNIOR): Honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection...converted on 16 of 22 field goal tries (72.7) on the year...his 16 field goals tied for the third-most in Stanford single-season history, trailing only the 19 made by John Hopkins in 1988 and the 18 made by Rod Garcia in 1973 and Hopkins in '89...also made all 53 of his point-after-touchdown attempts...became the first Stanford with more than 40 attempts to convert on all of his PATs...averaged 66.2 yards per kickoff with 14 touchbacks...made all six field goal attempts from 20-29 yards, was 4-5 from 30-39, 5-9 from 40-49 and 1-2 from 50 and beyond...booted a career-long 54-yard field goal at the end of the first half at Wake Forest, which tied for the fifth-longest field goal in school history...field goal also set a BT&T Stadium record...made both of his field goal tries against Washington, including a 40 yarder in the second quarter...was named the Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week after kicking three field goals and six PATs in Stanford's 51-42 victory over No. 7 Oregon on Nov. 7...kicked a 48-yard field goal with 0:11 remaining to seal the game...made all three of his field goal tries against Notre Dame, converting from 40, 47 and 29 yards...converted both of his field goal attempts vs. Oklahoma in the Sun Bowl...nailed a 35-yarder at the 3:57 mark of the second quarter and connected from 21 yards out in the fourth period...along with Chris Owusu, was the co-recipient of the Phil Moffatt Award as the team's most outstanding special teams player.
2008 (JUNIOR): Did not see action after officially joining the team on Sept. 22.
2007 (SOPHOMORE AT NOTRE DAME): Was the Irish's primary kickoff specialist...kicked off 28 times for a total of 1,647 yards...was 0-for-1 in field goal tries...missed on a 50-yard attempt against Penn State...was 1-for-2 in extra point attempts with both tries coming against Purdue.
2006 (FRESHMAN AT NOTRE DAME): Made the team was a walk-on and appeared in two games...handled the kickoff duties against Stanford and was 1-for-1 in PATs against Purdue.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Attended St. Augustine High School in San Diego...played for head coach Jerry Ralph...earned two letters in football as a kicker and receiver...was named the 2006 All-Eastern League Kicker of the Year...earned MVP honors at the Down Under Bowl in New Zealand...also was an Eastern League first team all-academic selection...also earned three letters in soccer and two in track...garnered all-CIF San Diego Section second team honors in soccer as a senior...parents are Paul and Angela Whitaker...has one younger brother, Eric, who is a freshman on this year's team...born in San Diego, Calif...majoring in product design.
Career Highs at Stanford
Field Goals Made: 3, twice; last vs. Notre Dame, Nov. 28, 2009
Field Goals Attempted: 4 vs. Oregon, Nov. 7, 2009
Long: 54 at Wake Forest, Sept. 12, 2009