Once one of Penn State's goats, Ficken now a leader

STATE COLLEGE - It's been an overtold and well-known first few chapters, but the author is still working to finish one of Penn State's most puzzling and polarizing narratives in recent memory.

Sam Ficken will always be remembered for Sept. 8, 2012, in Charlottesville, Va.

One second remained in a one-point game against the Cavaliers. Ficken, a then-sophomore who had missed three field goals and had an extra point blocked earlier in the afternoon, lined up in the middle of the field for a 42-yarder to win it - and missed wide left.

Penn State fans would like to forget that moment, but Ficken has learned to live with it and learn from it. Now, he's been virtually automatic.

Ficken is no longer a head-hanging, shaken underclassman. He's a self-assured leader putting a stamp on both the Penn State record books and his senior year.

"Obviously, [the Virginia game] was a big moment in my career unfortunately," Ficken said. "It is what it is. It's way in the past for me . . . It's something that doesn't really bother me anymore."

That's been apparent.

A 6-2 native of Valparaiso, Ind., the placekicker is Penn State's leading scorer this season, with 42 points. Ficken has made made all 12 extra points and connected on 10 of 12 field goals - tied for most among Big Ten kickers. That includes a game-winning kick as time expired against Central Florida in one of Europe's revered stadiums, Croke Park Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, in the season opener on Aug. 30.

Coach James Franklin said No. 97 was the most consistent player in spring camp, and he's been kicking that way, but Ficken's impact extends further than only this season's efforts. Ranking eighth overall in career scoring at Penn State, Ficken has generated 213 points, while also owning the consecutive field goals mark, with 15 stretching over the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

That success starts with an air of confidence, a feeling that not only Ficken feels.

Penn State wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton knows that if the offense is in the red zone, the Lions are coming out with points.

"It feels good, and sometimes the the offense needs that extra help and push to get us going," the redshirt freshman said. "Ficken has been hot. He's been on fire about a year-and-a-half."

Even though he's not navigating the offense or organizing the defense, Ficken also has a valuable role as a leader. He understands that doing what's asked, more often than not, isn't enough. Taking it a step further is necessary.

Plus, Ficken has the experience to back up his credibility as a person underclassmen can look up to.

Rebounding from death threats and running away from linemen in celebration are polar opposites. But that's what makes him the ideal fit for a stabilizing presence in the Lions' locker room.

Good game or bad game, he's been there.

"I've had up-and-down experiences, and that's something that can relate to not just kickers, but every position," Ficken said.

But Ficken still has plenty of moments, positive and negative, left to experience. After this weekend's bye, seven regular-season games remain for Penn State, along with any postseason play the 4-1 squad might encounter.

What's ahead won't erase what has happened in the past. Ficken said he's accepted that the Virginia debacle will stick with him until the day he's done kicking.

But it doesn't have to be what defines Ficken. Perhaps that moment has yet to come.

"It's been a great story," Franklin said. "But he's got to finish it."

For now, just keep on reading.