The fact that walk-on kicker Eric Schwartz went 3-for-3 on field goals -- including a 44-yarder in the fourth quarter -- in Friday's 30-19 win against then-No. 20 West Virginia is one of the Bulls' best stories this year. It's even better when you think about where he was the last time the Mountaineers came to Tampa -- cheering as just another fan in the stands when the Bulls won in 2007.
"It's a little bit different experience," said Schwartz, who has shored up a problematic area for the Bulls, connecting on his last four field goal attempts. "The more opportunities I get, the more confident I get, the better I feel out there. Now it feels pretty much like how I felt in high school.Just go out there and do what I do."
Schwartz has gone 6-for-9 on field goal attempts this season, all the more impressive when you remember that the last time he kicked in a game was 2005, his senior year at Hudson High in western Pasco County.
"I never got looked at in high school at all," Schwartz said. "I had no one look at me, no recruiting at all."
Schwartz enrolled at USF, never giving up his dream of playing college football. One year, he simply missed the walk-on tryout; another, he didn't have enough credit hours to be eligible. He kept in shape by going home to Hudson a few times a week, kicking at the local rec center. In February, he took part in an open tryout and made the team's spring roster.
"I have guys try out in spring, and I put them through the wringer," coach Jim Leavitt said. "I want to find the guys who are going to mess up. I make them come out day after day after day. I'm looking for them to mess up, and all you have to do is mess up and I say "See you." He never messed up. He kept hitting the kicks. ... Finally, I figured, well, I guess I have to give him a uniform."
Injuries to starter Maikon Bonani and backup Delbert Alvarado gave him a chance to kick in the spring game, but he missed his only field-goal attempt, from 34 yards. He was taken off the team's roster after spring, as Leavitt saw two established kickers and didn't foresee the need for another with little chance to play.
"I said, 'Next fall, there's no way I'm going to put him in a game,'" Leavitt said. "Why would I ever do something like that, and put our whole team and game on the line for some guy who has never been in that situation? He said 'Will you let me on in the fall?' and I said 'I don't know. I don't see why, because I've got two other kickers."
It was only in July, when Bonani fractured a vertebra in a 35-foot fall while working at Busch Gardens that Schwartz had an opening to get on the team's fall roster. Leavitt auditioned several kickers, but Schwartz looked to be the best walk-on option. USF opened the season with Alvarado handling all kicking duties, but Schwartz eventually took over kickoff duties, and after Alvarado hit one of his first five field-goal attempts, Schwartz got a chance there as well.
"I kept waiting for my opportunity, and it came," said the 22-year-old, who is majoring in secondary education. "I thought it was all worth it when I made it to the spring (game)."
Schwartz wasn't perfect early -- he missed two 37-yard attempts at Florida State before making a 27-yarder in the 17-7 win, but Leavitt stuck with him.
"I liked his demeanor," Leavitt said. "That's really important to me. He didn't seem to get too rattled. He seemed to deal with my personality, which isn't easy. I really appreciated that. I really wanted to find out what kind of substance he had, more than the kicking, what he had with the game on the line."
Schwartz has already showed off his leg, hitting a 50-yard field goal in USF's loss to Cincinnati, and he claims to have connected from as far as 65 yards in practice. For now, he's thrilled to be USF's primary kicker -- he had two touchbacks on kickoffs against West Virginia, giving him three this season. His story isn't finished, but it's already a memorable one for Bulls fans.
"I told him (in summer), you might be like those NFL stories where guys are working at a gas station and all the sudden, he's kicking three days later," Leavitt said. "I said 'That might be your story.' ... Now how will he do next week? I don't know, but right now, he's the guy."
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
USF has a verbal commit from an Ocala kicker. He has a good leg and is on target with his FG and KO.
There is hope yet.
Posted by: Bill B. | November 04, 2009 at 07:05 PM
Good job Schwartz! Maybe it was "destiny" that brought him to USF and then Bonani getting hurt, giving him his shot! The fact that he kept practicing and trying out, not giving up, surely helped him. The guy should do well in life with type of work ethic and persistance. GO BULLS!
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | November 04, 2009 at 07:05 AM
SailingBull are you picking on my poetic license?
Hello, do me a little favor and look up destiny and fate... It is pretty cool that he is here and yes it was by his own hard work and persistence that he was ready for the CHANCE to compete...
Posted by: Bulliever | November 03, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Leavitt still needs to go out and recruit a kicker. Just because Bonani is feeling better doesn't mean he can kick. Those of you who think all will be like before with a broken back are smokin' something.
Posted by: Joe | November 03, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Bulliever, destiny, fate, the schwartz... those things had NOTHING to do with it. His work and persistence got him there.
Fortune favors a prepared mind. -Pasteur
Posted by: Sailingbull | November 03, 2009 at 08:52 PM
I believe there were a few of us saying let the "Schwartz be with us"... I am very happy, this making a field goal thing was getting pretty scary.
So to sum this up, it was destiny that brought him here and fate that has given him a chance to compete...
Congrats Schwartz, keep doing what you do!!
Posted by: Bulliever | November 03, 2009 at 07:28 PM
Even after the FSU game there were a lot of bloggers wanting a new kicker. Some were asking for more auditions. But CJL stuck with him. Hindsight always leads to buttitis. He is a feel good story. But the story (season) is not over. Rutgers will be a challenge for him, in an unfriendly environment. Then Miami, big game and UConn potentially cold. So I will reserve my rubber stamp for later.
Posted by: Bill B. | November 03, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Glad to hear the kid's a fighter. Keep kicking it Eric! Go Bulls!
Posted by: Cat | November 03, 2009 at 07:18 PM
The biggest hurdle Schwartz overcame was Leavitt's love affair with Delbert Alvarado.
Where are all of you Leavitt apologists now that those of us who were SCREAMING for Leavitt to give Schwartz a chance have been proven right?
Like an instant replay of last year with Bonani. Leavitt wanted Delbert to be successful so badly that he was willing to keep better kickers on the bench for weeks and weeks.
And yet, we'll still have apologists screaming at me for pointing this out as they blindly come to Leavitt's defense.
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | November 03, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Well done Schwartz, way to battle. My the Schwartz be with you.
Posted by: Jim | November 03, 2009 at 06:02 PM
After the FSU misses, Schwartz has proven to be the guy. I don't think many people would have done better thrown into the national stage from obscurity. Bonani take care of yourself and see you next year buddy. But for now Schwartz is the man. Go Bulls!
Posted by: Rick | November 03, 2009 at 05:56 PM
After the FSU misses, Schwartz has proven to be the guy. I don't think many people would have done better thrown into the national stage from obscurity. Bonani take care of yourself and see you next year buddy, we'll need you. But for now Schwartz is the man. Go Bulls!
Posted by: Rick | November 03, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Good story!
Posted by: JT (Atlanta) | November 03, 2009 at 05:43 PM