Lucas at Large: Gregoire glad to see Gaglianone top UW record
November 03, 2018 | Football, Mike Lucas, Varsity Magazine
Former kicker all smiles about being replaced atop Badgers’ field goal chart
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BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — Todd Gregoire remembered his first field goal as a true freshman, a 51-yarder against Northern Illinois in the 1984 opener at Camp Randall Stadium. He also remembered kicking four field goals against Ohio State in a 26-24 upset his senior year. "Those stand out the most," he said.
What he didn't remember was his 38-yard field goal in the second quarter against Michigan State. It was his final game as Wisconsin's placekicking specialist in what was a humbling 30-9 home loss, capping a disappointing 3-8 season under first-year head coach Don Morton.
"We really struggled as a team," Gregoire said. "That's what stood out, not so much the kick."
Nonetheless, it was his 65th career field goal, making him the Big Ten's all-time leader, a title that he held for 14 years until Purdue's Travis Dorsch topped his total. Meanwhile, Gregoire's school record lasted 31 years until Rafael Gaglianone kicked his 66th field goal Saturday at Northwestern.
"It was not something I thought about it until Raf was getting close and people were starting to talk about it," Gregoire said. "I've visited with him several times and that's what makes it so much better for him to break the record: he's a great young man and kicker. That's a good combination."
Congrats, @rafagaglianone! No one in Wisconsin Football history has made more field goals in his career than Raf #OnWisconsin
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 27, 2018
Gaglianone's record-breaker came at the 56-second mark of the second quarter and cut UW's deficit to four points (14-10). As Gaglianone was lining up the kick, offensive tackle David Edwards saw that the Badgers were a man short so he ran on to the field and manned a vacant wing position.
"I was lucky I didn't get a penalty," Edwards said. "But when I came off the field, someone was yelling for whomever the wing was. I didn't see anybody go out there, so I sprinted out. I was a wing for most of last year and earlier this year. I just knew it was a big moment and we needed the points."
Recognizing they were shorthanded, Gaglianone never panicked. Instead, he waited for Edwards to set up before splitting the uprights from 35 yards and breaking Gregoire's record. Gaglianone has now converted on 66 of 84 field goal attempts (.786). Gregoire was 65 of 85 (.765).
"It's definitely a blessing to have played in as many games (51) as I have — and to have gotten all the opportunities that I have gotten, it's amazing," said Gaglianone, a senior from Sao Paulo, Brazil. "It has been, in a way, a validation of my work here and the things I've tried to accomplish. It means a lot.
"But like I said after the game, it's about going out there and doing it again. Like Coach (Paul) Chryst always says, 'Football is such a great sport because nobody cares what you did yesterday. You've got to go out and earn it every game day.' So, I'm just trying to stay in the moment."
Chryst is a link between the 53-year-old Gregoire and the 23-year-old Gaglianone. In 1987, Chryst and Gregoire were not only Badgers teammates but they were roommates. In addition, Chryst was the holder for Gregoire on placements, an assignment that he held for multiple seasons.
"Paul was a great holder," Gregoire said. "Kickers are very particular. The ball has got to be just right because you're hitting a spot about a quarter of an inch on the ball, the sweet spot. I always had the ball tilted a little bit and he was always able to do that. He had good hands. He was a good athlete."
As members of the '84 recruiting class, Chryst, who quarterbacked Platteville to a Division 4 state title; and Gregoire, who was a linebacker-receiver-kicker from Green Bay and the Player of the Year in Wisconsin, became good friends. "We had a lot of commonality," Gregoire said.
That's also true of Gregoire and Gaglianone. "One, they're good," said Chryst, connecting the dots between different eras. "Two, they have very different personalities, but they're competitive. The team meant something to them. That's consistent. They truly believe, 'This is how I can help the team.'"
Gregoire has another link to these Badgers. His son, Mike, is a walk-on freshman wide receiver. "It kind of revitalizes you and brings you back into the Badger family just having him in the program," he said. "And to have a teammate that is the head coach … I'm very excited for him being here."
Gaglianone's excitement was understandably tempered by last Saturday's loss. "The bus ride back home wasn't the greatest," he said. "But we come in now with that chip on our shoulder. The outside people can say what they want. We know what kind of team we are."
Gaglianone has had that conversation with his roommate, T.J. Edwards. "From the get-go, we have talked about what our goals are and what we wanted to accomplish," Gaglianone said. "It's tough when a guy that talented decides to come back and things don't exactly work out the way we planned.
"It's easy to get frustrated. But I give him a great amount of respect for the way he has handled himself. As one of the leaders of the team, he has kept us all together in those moments. He has always been a great teammate and he has that leadership (quality) about him."
Edwards, an All-American inside linebacker, returned the compliment. "He actually does a good job of picking me up at times and I try to do my part with him," he said. "He's battled through a lot here and for him to leave with the record is impressive and speaks to how consistent he has been for us."
We knew from that first night you showed off your leg and busted out the dance moves, you were gonna be something special Congrats, @rafagaglianone, no one in the history of Wisconsin Football has made more career field goals than you #OnWisconsin
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 27, 2018
On Monday, Gaglianone was focused on just one thing. "I'm focused on trying to make the most out of Tuesday's practice," he said. "That's where most of my body of work happens and I want to come out there and have that mentality where I feel good about myself and how I'm hitting the ball.
"I've only got one month left and I've got to make the most out of each day because you never know … you could get hurt at any time …. something could happen …. you just don't know. Nothing is promised to you. So I'm just trying to go about my business and make my kicks."
There will be at least one person in the Camp Randall stands Saturday who can relate.
Todd Gregoire.
"I'm just really happy for him," he said. "Happy that he was able to beat my record."
