With kicker Graham Gano sidelined, punter and safety combine to get the job done for Giants
New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (17) watches his field goal during the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, on Sunday, Aug 21, 2022. Gillan was used for the field goal with place kicker Graham Gano (9) out. Credit: Brad Penner
Jamie Gillan hadn’t attempted a field goal since college, but at least he had done it at some point in the past. Julian Love had never held for a kick in his life.
But when kicker Graham Gano left Sunday’s game against the Bengals with a concussion, Gillan and Love were pressed into emergency service. Gillan, a punter by trade, kicked a 31-yard field goal and an extra point with Love, a safety, holding them in the Giants' 25-22 victory over the Bengals at MetLife Stadium. Gillan also had three kickoffs, two for touchbacks.
“Things happen in football,” Gillan said. “But as a guy who has done all three [kicking, kicking off and punting], just go out there and do your job and give the best you have. You just go out and do it, right?”
As for Love, the Giants came out on the field after halftime and realized that if Gillan was going to kick, he couldn’t very well hold for himself. They quickly asked for volunteers. Love raised his hand.
Long snapper Casey Kreiter gave Love the two-minute lesson on holding, they practiced a few snaps, and pretty soon they were on the field for the real deal.
“He smashed it,” Gillan said of Love’s technique. “I love J. Love. He was like ‘All right, let’s do it!’”
And then they did.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
