Redshirt freshman Sahr “Chris” Gbundema was thrust into the starting kicker position vs Norfolk State after senior kicker Beckett Leary sustained an injury last Saturday.
Gbundema was 2 for 2 on field goal attempts and 2 for 3 on extra point attempts in his first game with the Bears. The last field goal attempt was a 47 yard kick that tied the game to go into overtime for the Bears.
“After the first field goal attempt I wasn’t nervous anymore, I just did what I did, it was muscle memory and like I said working and practicing everyday really just got me there,” said Gbundema.
His performance on Saturday would earn him Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rookie of the week honors.
Gbundema brought his work ethic from high school to his collegiate career. He was a three-sport standout athlete at Duval High School in Prince George’s County. He was the first kicker in Duval history to make All-County in which he converted 35 PAT’s in his career.
In high school his longest made field goal attempt was a game winning 42 yard kick against Oxon Hill high school in Prince George’s County. He has since surpassed that, marking a new career high at 47 yards last Saturday.
The Bear’s head coach, Coach Wilson said Chris was very dedicated and that Gbundema has been one of the players seen staying after every practice continuing to stay prepared.
“He is always the first on the field to practice and the last one to leave. He’s been preparing for this opportunity and he gave us a chance to win… definitely the MVP of the game,” said Wilson.
The special teams unit is an important part of the Bear’s football team they build off of each other to get better and to show up for the rest of the team when the time comes.
The specialist all saw Gbundema’s efforts before it was broadcast for the first time last Saturday. Sophomore long snapper Griffin Dorman said he was often the first person to practice.
“He’s always the first one of us out… and everytime I’m leaving the locker room he still be out there kicking his stuff and even when he didn’t get recognition for it and he was still the backup,” Said Dorman. Some players didn’t even know his name, he was doing it to get better not to just prove something he was doing it for himself. His work ethic is top tier.”
Sophomore punter Shane Messenger works hand in hand with Gbundema as his holder and said he sees his improvement on a daily basis.
“I think he is one of the most hardest working people on the team… he’s usually the last guy off the field. He has definitely improved in the weight room, on the field and it’s just a testament to his work ethics and being able to be coachable. He didn’t come in perfectly but we are able to help him,” said Messenger.
The Morgan State Bears (4-5, 1-1 MEAC) face the (1-8, 0-2) Delaware State Hornets Saturday Nov. 9 in Dover, Del. at Alumni Stadium at noon.
