As the place-kicker for No. 7 Penn State, Conway's time in the spotlight varies like the dramatic temperature difference of a Lilburn summer day and a State College winter night. Miss a 27-yard field goal, as he did in a loss to Northwestern last year, and he becomes the goat. Against the Red Raiders, Conway was close to goat status after missing two kicks earlier in the game. With four seconds left, Conway got his chance for redemption. More common, however, is kicking in the background.
Nobody notices the point after touchdown attempt until it's missed.
You get so mad at yourself for missing the first kick. More often than not, the slumps come from mental focus. Conway is the first to admit he sometimes lacked the necessary concentration. Early this preseason, Paterno placed significant pressure on the foot of Conway. He had to be better.