Throughout Michigan’s first few weeks of the season, it appeared the only sure thing they had on offense was their eccentric kicker, Quinn Nordin. While the rest of the offense was frustratingly inconsistent, Nordin was doing his job exceptionally well.
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His great play allowed for Harbaugh and fans to look past his Wild Thing haircut and unusual personality for a kicker.
@QuinnNordin breaks 50+ field goal record while sporting Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn haircut. #classic #give'emtheheat pic.twitter.com/El3zvdxTNX
— Sorrizzle (@armbar_victim) September 3, 2017
However, all that is fine when you are making your kicks, but things can turn bad very quickly as seen in their latest exchange after a missed field goal against Maryland.
Quinn Nordin back talks Jim Harbaugh after missing a field goal… not a good move. pic.twitter.com/rMMplqYV52
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) November 11, 2017
Getting in Harbaugh’s face after missing a field goal is a questionable decision, to begin with. Now Harbaugh is making it known that his job is no longer guaranteed.
“He made 10 in a row, he’s missed three now. You need the execution on game day as well. I’m not going into all the kicking nuances and specifics. It’s really simple, he’s gotta make the kicks. It’s a meritocracy. If it’s not him then someone else will get a shot. That’s where we’re at”
Nordin has now missed three in a row and a pair of extra points in Michigan’s last few games. Harbaugh made it clear there will be no special treatment for his sleepover buddy if he does not start kicking the ball through the uprights.
The kicker is known on campus for being an eccentric guy and maybe he’s too deep into his own head with all his theatrics. For now, Harbaugh wants less theatrics and more production giving his kicker a simple message.
“Strap on the iron jock and kick the ball through the uprights”
Nordin will need to get his swagger back by Saturday or Michigan could be rolling out a new kicker in a big game. The Wisconsin game could very well be low scoring, decided by field goals and defense, and Michigan will need the old Nordin to show up and kick the ball through the uprights. Maybe he needs to get his “Wild Thing” haircut realigned or maybe he needs to just lay low and make field goals. Whatever the case is, Harbaugh is sending a message to the kid.
