Kicker looking for comeback season

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This article was published 06/06/2022 (1431 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It wasn’t the season Marc Liegghio envisioned for himself when he pictured breaking into the Canadian Football League as a rookie.

But the Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker is hoping the lessons he took from a rocky 2021 campaign will help make for better results as he enters his sophomore season. As part of his offseason process, Liegghio went back and watched his game film, making whatever adjustments he felt were necessary.

“First year as a pro, it was a pretty wavy season,” Liegghio said following practice Monday. “I know a lot of things happened last season, but you just have to learn from them. I know I can do this; I was good coming out of university, I had my accolades and all that stuff. But I just want to do what’s best for the team and that’s what I’m going to do this year, for sure.”

Liegghio, 25, was drafted by Winnipeg in the fifth round, 39th overall, in the 2020 CFL Draft. He joined the Bombers last season after a standout career at Western, where, in 2019, he became the first player to be named a U Sports first-team all-Canadian as both a place kicker and a punter. That year, his senior season, he set a U Sport record with a punting average of 47.5 yards, while also connecting on 22 of 24 field-goal attempts.

But that success didn’t always translate as a professional.

Though Liegghio was handed all kicking duties to start training camp, it wasn’t long before things started to go sideways and the Bombers brought in Tyler Crapigna to handle field goals. After Crapigna’s play began to decline after a few games, Liegghio got another shot at place kicking, only to struggle again, creating a spot for Ali Mourtada.

Mourtada would eventually be replaced by Sergio Castillo late in the year, with Castillo then playing an integral role in the Grey Cup, including going a perfect five-for-five on field goals. Castillo has since signed with the Edmonton Elks.

Liegghio finished the season five-for-eight on field goals (he was also five-for-eight on one-point converts), with his longest made kick coming in at 50 yards. He also averaged 43.7 yards on 92 punts.

“I’m very hard on myself. You always want to be perfect,” Liegghio said. “My motto has always been just go 1-for-1. Whether you make it or not, that kick is out the door and you’re focused on the next one.”

Liegghio will get the chance to prove his worth, both as a place kicker and punter. With the team making its final cuts this past weekend, Liegghio is the only kicker currently on the active roster.

Mourtada has been placed on the practice roster as a backup plan. Things can change in a hurry, but right now it looks like the Bombers want him to be a triple threat, which includes kickoff duty.

“We’ll see. Absolutely (we want him doing but three kicking roles). But the roster can change again, too,” Bombers head Mike O’Shea said. “If you saw Legs punt today, he’s punted very well. The field goal kicking has been pretty well spot-on for both of them. Those are tough decisions.”

During the preseason, Liegghio attempted just one field goal, which he made from 18 yards. He and Mourtada were almost identical in punting and kickoff yardage, within a few yards.

Liegghio isn’t taking anything for granted, even if he’s feeling grateful for the vote of confidence. He remains close with Mourtada, and the plan is to push each other so both can get better.

“I did all three in university so that’s what I’m used to and that’s what I want to do,” he said. “But Ali is a great kicker. I pick his head; he picks mine for a couple things. I’m just happy I got the opportunity that I did, and I hope to have a great season and help out my team this year.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton