Before Green Bay, Masthay was a Kentucky HS all-star from Murray

Dust off the archives, here's a story I wrote as an intern at the Lexington Herald-Leader way back in 2005. The punter for the Kentucky all-stars that summer was Murray's Tim Masthay. Less than eight years later, after a career at the University of Kentucky, he's in the Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.

Thursday, June 16, 2005 MASTHAY'S FOOT IS A SIGHT FOR BLUE EYES MURRAY ALL-STAR COULD HELP UK Edition: Final Source: By Keith Farner, Herald-Leader Staff Writer Section: Sports Page: C1

When Tim Masthay steps into Commonwealth Stadium on Sept. 4 he'll be surrounded by eyes.

Yes, speed will be a factor for the freshman punter. Yes, the potential of a blocked punt will increase from high school. But the biggest difference will be the sheer number of people watching him catch, set, and punt the pigskin. At least that's what John Buchanan, the kicking coach this week for the Kentucky football All-Stars told Masthay on Sunday.

"There's just going to be more eyes on you," said Buchanan who has coached at Boyle and Mercer County and at Lafayette. "You've just got to concentrate on the ball and forget all those eyes that will be on you."

But that shouldn't be a problem for Masthay, a Murray High School product who is the odds-on favorite to start at punter for the University of Kentucky this fall.

Masthay grew up playing soccer, basketball, baseball and then football as a junior in high school so eyes in stadiums have been on Masthay since he was 4.

The multi-sport athlete will cut his load from four sports in high school to football and possibly baseball at UK. Masthay, a center fielderand left-handed pitcher, said he has talked with UK baseball coach John Cohen about walking on the team.

Athleticism is what UK football coach Rich Brooks and special teams coach Steve Ortmayer told Masthay they wanted.

And with a 39.4 yards per punt average last season, that's what The Associated Press first-team all-state player delivered.

"I think right now I'm just a solid punter, nothing spectacular," Masthay said yesterday. "What they really wanted was a good athlete and that they could teach me to be a good punter."

The teaching began last summer when Masthay attended a camp that Brooks hosted. That's where Masthay grasped the techniques and fundamentals that are crucial for every punter.

"You have to drop the ball perfectly or it doesn't matter how hard you kick the ball, it's not going to go anywhere," said Masthay who also received an offer from Purdue to start this season on kickoffs.

Masthay will battle walk-on Kris Kessler for a starting role at UK. Masthay said he's not nervous now but if he does in fact start, the butterflies will be fluttering.

"I don't know if it's added pressure," he said, "but I know it's serious business and I've got to get the job done."

Brooks said on national signing day that Masthay, in all probability, will start at punter. The coach also compared him to Josh Bidwell, who played at Oregon under Brooks and now punts for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Football won't be the only transition for Masthay to handle. He'll also have to adjust to classes and living away from Murray. Buchanan said there's no way to figure how freshmen will adjust. But he does know one thing about Masthay.

"He can kick the snot out of the ball," he said.

Football
Kentucky- Tennessee All-Stars
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Louisville
Tickets: $10 at gate Parking: $5