Tennessee: Lincoln looks to regain form

KNOXVILLE — Daniel Lincoln doesn’t like to dwell on past games — good or bad.

But Tennessee’s sophomore kicker can’t ignore one that keeps cropping up.

Lincoln still encounters fans who want to talk about the Volunteers’ win last year against South Carolina in Knoxville, when Lincoln made a 48-yard field goal to force overtime before adding the game-winning 27-yard kick.

“For me, I guess you could say that’s been the defining moment of my time here,” said Lincoln, who made 21 field goals on 29 attempts as a freshman, scoring 115 points. “That’s what you come to work for. When the game is on the line, you come through.”

Lincoln has struggled to equal last year’s success. The Ocala, Fla., native is 8-of-15 (53.3 percent) this season after missing his last two attempts in Tennessee’s 29-9 loss against Alabama last Saturday.

Last year’s win against the Gamecocks has become motivation for Lincoln as UT (3-5, 1-4 SEC) plays South Carolina (5-3, 2-3) on Saturday at Columbia, S.C.

“When you’ve fallen on hard times, it’s not an issue if you can or can’t do it,” Lincoln said. “I can do it. I’ve done it before.”

So what’s been the problem this year? Lincoln said it’s not due to a lack of effort.

“I’ve been working harder than ever before, and I’m not getting results on Saturdays,” he said. “I’m going to keep pushing. That’s all I can say.”

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said after the loss to Alabama that he considered using punter Britton Colquitt for attempts beyond 50 yards, where Lincoln is 0-for-5 in his career at UT. But Lincoln’s pregame warm-ups changed his mind.

After coming up short on a 51-yard attempt, Lincoln missed on a 43-yard try before halftime.

“It’s probably gotten in his head, a little bit, at this point,” Fulmer said Saturday night. “He’ll do fine. We’ve just got to make sure his head stays on straight.”

Still, Lincoln has had trouble containing his frustration.

“I don’t feel I’ve had a good game this year,” said Lincoln, who earned Freshman All-America honors and had the best career start for a kicker in UT history by making his first eight field-goal tries.

Now Lincoln said he’s hopeful he can mend this season, starting with a solid performance against South Carolina on Saturday.

“I’ve been on both sides of it,” he said. “Last year I was on the top side. This year I’m on the flip side.”

His teammates are confident Lincoln will have another turnaround soon.

“You’re going to miss some. That’s what happens,” quarterback Nick Stephens said. “He’s a tough kid, and he’ll pull out of it. We’ve got faith in him.”