Illini kicker James McCourt "kicked his way into history on Saturday" as head coach Bret Bielema put it, after setting the program record for most career 50+ yard field goals.
After coming into the 2021 season with four 50+ yard field goals made, McCourt kicked a 52-yarder and 53-yarder against UTSA to set the new Illini record at six.
"I was happy that I could put the team in certain situations and put some points on the board, play some complimentary football," McCourt said. "And just having Coach B trust me to go out there for a couple of long kicks just builds my confidence. So, I was really happy with that part of the game."
McCourt, who made three of those long field goals in 2019, is comfortable with the range as his career high is a 57-yarder. While McCourt has developed his own confidence over his three seasons as a starter, the confidence Bielema has in the special teams group as a whole goes a long way.
But when put in the long ball situations, McCourt keeps his routine and mindset the same as he goes onto the field without knowing exactly how long the kick will be.
"I just really focus on how the ball travels for the first 10 yards, just get it on a straight path towards the uprights," McCourt said. "You can't really control after it leaves your foot. So just go out there and trust your progression, trust your routine that you've done. And I obviously have a great snapper and holder, and Ethan and Blake and those guys are just on the money all the time, really. So I can go out there with a lot of trust in those guys, which helps your operation and helps you make some kicks."
Having that strong yet easygoing mentality is something he picked up from his predecessor Chase McLaughlin, who previously held the record with five career field goals from 50+ yards.
McLaughlin, who was recently named the Cleveland Browns starting kicker for Week 1, was happy to see his friend and former teammate find that success.
"I was very excited for him," McLaughlin said. "I knew he had it in him to do it. I was hoping he was gonna have enough chances to be able to. I woke up the next morning and that was the first thing I saw on social media when I looked. So I shot him a text right away to congratulate him."
McCourt and McLaughlin's relationship was unique as the two had a great friendship yet were competitors on the field as they battled for the starting kicker spot for multiple years.
McLaughlin came to Illinois in 2014 as a walk-on while McCourt didn't join the Illini until 2016. But in 2016, the two competed in training camp for the starting spot, with McLaughlin ultimately earning the role until he graduated in 2018.
"We were good friends," McLaughlin said. "It was definitely a time there was a competition, which was good because it brought out the best of each other. But we were able to leave that on the field and between the houses and off the field just be good friends and hang out. I feel like I learned a lot from him kicking. You just kind of pick up some stuff from guys, different techniques, different skills and our mindset. So, we're able to talk about mental approaches a lot and technique a lot. Like I said it was good, fun to compete against him."
McLaughlin made a name for himself during his time as the Illini kicker as he was named to the All-Big Ten First Team and received Big Ten Kicker of the Year honors in his senior season. After learning under McLaughlin, McCourt was prepared to take the reins in the 2019 season and has been the starting kicker since.
One of the things McCourt always valued in McLaughlin's kicking approach was "how he's lighthearted and has fun with it." McCourt said he admired how McLaughlin just enjoyed the entire process of kicking and has integrated that into how he practices and prepares now.
Watching from afar, McLaughlin can see those changes McCourt has made.
"I think the biggest thing is, is his ability to focus to really kind of lock everything in," McLaughlin said. "And that was something that him and I talked about a lot. Back when I was there, that was something that I figured out too. And I think he's really been able to dial that in and kind of hone it in. You find that you need to be completely focused but at the same time you don't need to be locked at every second of the game or else you get mentally worn out. He's done a great job of being able to lock in what you need to do and take a deep breath when he doesn't need to."
The pair of kickers still talk almost every week whether it be about kicking, football or just catching up on life. As McCourt and McLaughlin both get deeper into their respective seasons, they will continue to support each other from a few states away.
"It's awesome just seeing him there," McCourt said. "I know how hard he's worked. And I saw it firsthand here. Just seeing him there and kind of reassures me that maybe I can do something like that. And he inspires me to get better. And he's accomplished stuff that I want to accomplish. And he's someone that I can ask questions to constantly and he's always he'll always answer me honestly."
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McCourt, McLaughlin Share Illini Kicker Bond - Fighting Illini
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