Kicker Ryan Tice proves himself as 'weapon' for Chippewas


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Central Michigan junior kicker Ryan Tice made three field goals in CMU's 24-23 loss to Ball State on Oct. 13 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Three plays following Ball State’s 19-yard trick pass, quarterback Riley Neal was in the end zone to give his team a 21-20 edge with 8:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. 

Ryan Tice responded.

With 4:19 left in the game, the Central Michigan junior kicker put a ball down the middle of the uprights from 47 yards out for a two-point lead, which nearly ended as the game-winning points.

Despite CMU's 24-23 loss to Ball State on Oct. 13 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Tice made his career-long 53-yard field goal, along with two others.

Earlier in the season, Tice made a 63-yard field goal in practice. But in-game, 53 yards is his new longest. His best in high school was just 29 yards. 

For Tice, it's all about having confidence in Luke Idoni snapping and Jack Sheldon holding. 

"I just do what I do every day," Tice said. "We rep enough in practice, so it's muscle memory. Every kick should be the same technique and mechanics." 

Tice has been automatic under head coach John Bonamego, cashing in on 8-of-9 field goals without getting an opportunity through the first two games of the season. 

If Bonamego knew of the one-point final edge for Ball State at the final whistle, he said Tice would've been in the game on fourth-and-one with 8:21 left in the third quarter.

From the Ball State 27-yard line, running back Romello Ross was stopped short of a first down – what could have been a 44-yard field goal against the wind for Tice. 

"Ryan's been a great addition for us. He's a weapon. If I had a regret, I probably should've taken the points in the third quarter when we went for it," Bonamego said. "Those are the decisions you make in the moment."

Since winning the full-time job over senior Michael Armstrong prior to CMU's Week 5 matchup against Michigan State, Tice has proven himself as a valuable piece. 

Tice made a 27-yard field goal at Northern Illinois on Sept. 15 and a 41-yard field goal at Maine on Sept. 22. Since taking over as the full-time starter on Sept. 29, Tice is 6-of-7 on field goals and 7-of-7 on point-after attempts.

While Tice has played extremely well for the Chippewas, he only joined the roster two days prior to CMU's season opener against Kentucky on Sept. 1. 

His journey to Mount Pleasant goes back to Ann Arbor and even takes a stop through Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Tice transferred from Michigan to Tennessee on March 5 as a walk-on graduate transfer. After time with the Volunteers, Tice was no longer with the team as of Aug. 16. 

At Tennessee, Tice's opportunity to get on the field was slim. He wanted to make an impact, and Bonamego gave him the chance to do so at CMU.

"I talked to (Bonamego), and they expressed interest in me coming here," Tice said of joining the Chippewas. "It went from there."

Walking through the doors of Kelly/Shorts Stadium on his first day of practice late in fall camp, Tice was nervous. He was unsure of his teammates' perception of him on such late notice. 

But he said the journey has been awesome. 

"All the guys have been great to me," Tice said. "It's been fun to get to know these guys."

Tice did not see game action at Michigan in 2017 but was a key factor in 2016. He covered 10-of-10 point-after-attempts and missed his lone field goal attempt for the Wolverines. 

He will also be eligible for the 2019 football season, but Tice's focus is currently on CMU's upcoming rivalry game against Western Michigan.

"I know it's a big rivalry and brings a lot of emotions out," the kicker said. 

"I'm ready to play."

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