August 2, 2012 at 3:26 PM
Fera, Nowicki transfer
Penn State kicker Anthony Fera has transferred to Texas.
Fera, a junior, joins Silas Redd among the only undisputed Penn State starters to transfer to day. He shouldered all of Penn State’s kicking duties last season -- from punts to kick-offs to field goals. He is responsible for 42 of Penn State’s 251 total points last season -- over 16 percent.
He also averaged 42 yards per punt last season, pinning 18 of 64 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Fera hails from Cypress, Texas, so the move puts him closer to home.
Now, sophomore Sam Ficken will likely do the place kicking for Penn State. He had only two field goal attempts last season, both from 40-49 yards. He made one.
Junior Alex Butterworth should assume punting duties. He booted the football eight times in 2011, averaging 38.5 yards.
Backup offensive tackle Ryan Nowicki will also depart Penn State in favor of Illinois. The redshirt freshman is the first Penn State player to transfer in conference.
Senior corner back Stephon Morris (12_darKnight), who has reaffirmed his commitment to Penn State, tweeted Thursday: “One thing u don’t do is Jump from big ten school to another big ten school.”