Kicker Mark Bencivengo came to Towson aspiring to earn the placekicking and punting jobs on the football team. But midway through his sophomore year, he was being exclusively used as a kickoff specialist, and Towson coach Gordy Combs gave him an ultimatum.
He wasn?t going to carry three kickers on the varsity roster, so if the 6-foot, 180-pound junior walk-on didn?t improve, he would be relegated to the practice squad.
Near the end of last season, Bencivengo won the placekicking job and hasn?t relinquished it. He ranks fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association with 10 field goals, but his biggest strength is kickoffs, as he has recorded six touchbacks and opponents? average starting field position has been their own 23-yard line.
“I was always out there trying to show coaches how far I could kick,” Bencivengo, who has accounted for 44 of the Tiger?s 146 points this season, said. “But coming in this year as a starter I settled down and let my ability show rather than trying to impress people every play.”
And that?s just what the coaches noticed.
“He?s been one of our hardest workers in the offseason practice,” Combs said. “He deserves a lot of credit.”
Bencivengo has made 10-of-16 field goals this season and is 14-of-14 on extra points. Of his six misses, three were blocked. When Towson (3-6, 2-5) hosts Villanova (5-4, 3-3) today at Johnny Unitas Stadium at noon on Senior Day, Bencivengo?s consistent play will be imperative for a team that consistently has struggled offensively.
The wide receivers regressed after Tommy Breaux and Hakeem Moore suffered season-ending injuries, as Combs said the unit has dropped 14 passes the past two games.
Up front, the offensive line is without center Nick Bradway for the rest of the season with a broken bone in his left foot, and will start freshmen Steve Jordan and Antonio Logan-El.
“Maybe we are pressing a little bit,” Combs said. “When we have the opportunity to make plays we have to. It all comes down to execution.”
Linebacker Brian Bradford, who leads the CAA in tackles (115), tackles for a loss (12) and forced fumbles (4) will try to slow down Villanova quarterback Antwon Young, who has 1,192 yards passing and 14 touchdowns to go with 151 yards rushing and two scores. Villanova averages 330.2 yards and 28.7 points per game.
“We just go out there and have fun and play hard,” Bencivengo, said. “We know we can beat any team and want to put everything together.”
