Novak Looks Forward to Money Time

Published on September 17, 2010 under United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


ORLANDO, FL - Friday, September 17, 2010 --There is just one quality that defines the makings of a great place kicker. Unlike other positions where there is some gray area, being the kicker means you either have the skill or you lack it.

And it's the ability to perform the skill under pressure that separates great kickers from good ones and good ones from the ones looking for work. You hear kickers refer to this simply as "money time," when it comes to winning and losing games with one strike of their toe to the football.

Being a successful kicker also means having a short memory and being able to being able to persevere when things don't go well. Florida Tuskers newly signed kicker Nick Novak, is a great example, having lived through a roller coaster career with eight stops in six different National Football League cities and another with the Cologne Centurions in NFL-Europe.

"It's been a journey and a process that no matter what has happened along the way it has made me stronger in every stop," Novak says. "It has been kind of a nomadic career but nonetheless it has been a career and I'm happy to be here with the Tuskers to have the opportunity to continue playing football."

Novak's latest stop came when the Tuskers released Carlos Martinez, who struggled during training camp. Novak joined the Tuskers last Thursday while the team practiced inside the Florida Citrus Bowl on the new field turf for the first time. The former Maryland Terrapin drilled kick after kick right down the middle as his teammates watched from the sidelines.

On Saturday, Novak will make his debut when the Tuskers face the Las Vegas Locomotives in a rematch of the UFL championship game. Kicking under pressure is something that he relishes more than anything in his line of work.

"Those are the kind of kicks that kickers live for is when the game is on the line," he says. "At that point you don't really think about the situation, take a few breaths, and go out there with all positive thoughts that I'm going to make it."

As kicker for the Washington Redskins when he replaced injured NFL veteran John Hall, Novak kicked what he considers to be one of the biggest field goals of his life to defeat the Dallas Cowboys with no time left on the clock.

Redskins' safety Troy Vincent blocked a Cowboys field goal that was returned by the late Sean Taylor to the 45. A facemask penalty moved the ball to the Dallas 30, where Novak stepped out and nailed a 47-yard field goal to give the Redskins the win. The fans at Redskins.com voted it the fourth best moment in FedEx Field history.

"That kick was one of those that made me feel like I really belong kicking at that level," says Novak recalling the moment.

In college, Novak was named a Sporting News Freshman All-American, a two-time All-ACC performer, and two-time All-ACC honorable mention. He finished college with the most points in ACC history with 393 over four seasons.

While the Tuskers are hoping their games this season are won comfortably, Novak's special teams players know they can count on him if they are in a tight game.

"We're excited to have Nick; he brings a lot of experience to the position," says long snapper Ryan Senser. "He has a real strong leg and we're confident that if the game comes down to him that he will come through for us."

On Friday, the Tuskers will travel to Las Vegas in final preparations for their meeting with the Locos at Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 11 p.m. eastern live on HD Net.

TUSKERS NOTEBOOK: Florida wide receiver Chas Gessner has been downgraded to doubtful for Saturday's season-opener on the team's media injury report...The 6-5 wide receiver has been hampered with a strained thigh for the past two weeks... "It's been a little frustrating," Gessner said. "But there's not a whole lot I can do other than continue treatment and rehab."...WR Calvin Russell is scheduled to start tomorrow night, concluding an improbable rise from open tryout prospect to camp invitation to starter... "Not only is he an incredible athlete with great speed but he came in here and picked up our offense quickly," QB Brooks Bollinger said...Russell credits a couple of training camps with the Green Bay Packers for his quick adjustment... "They ran an offense very similar to Coach Gruden's," Russell said. "Being in a similar system made the transition easier."... Central Florida fans are reminded that because of a scheduling conflict, Saturday's game can be heard on sister-station WFLA 540 AM instead of 740 THE GAME...EMBER (42 W. Central) will host a watch party for the game.

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United Football League Stories from September 17, 2010


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