STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State is sticking with kicker Sam Ficken.
The sophomore had an extra-point attempt blocked and missed four kicks in last week's 17-16 loss at Virginia, including the potential game-winner from 42 yards in a heavy drizzle.
Coach Bill O'Brien said Tuesday that Ficken is working hard to improve. He said everything else needs to get better, too, like the protection, snaps and holds on kicks.
Ficken is the only kicker listed on the depth chart. But when asked later, O'Brien also said the kicking job has been an open competition every week this season won by Ficken.
O'Brien is also focusing on red-zone offense this week. The defense stepped up with four turnovers inside Virginia territory, but Penn State converted just three points off those chances.
Penn State (0-2) will host Navy (0-1) on Saturday.
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