Bucs’ placekicker Con Chellis has had some memorable kicks in his career, but his game-winning field goal against The Citadel is one he will always remember.
The 41-yard kick was the second game-winner in as many years, the other being a 26-yard field goal against Furman last season, and what made this one so special for Chellis was the importance of the kick to his teammates.
The Citadel’s plan of calling two timeouts to try to shake Chellis’ confidence backfired as it allowed the Bucs’ kicker to look over and see the expressions of his teammates anticipating the kick.
“With the timeouts I had a chance to look over at the side lines and I saw the team huddled up and knew how important it was,” said Chellis, who is currently tied for first place in the Southern Conference in field goals (six) and is fourth in scoring among kickers with 25 points.
Even with knowing how important his field-goal attempt would be to his team, Chellis still did not feel too much pressure in the situation.
“Being a game-winning kick you’d think it would be awful,” he said. “But, really I didn’t get too worked up about it.”
Unlike some kickers, who tend to loners, Chellis has set himself apart, being very team-oriented and involved in all aspects of the team’s practices, which is what his teammates admire about him said head coach Paul Hamilton.
“Con is a football player, he’s not just a kicker,” Hamilton said. “He gets into the mix in everything.
“He’s very involved in the weight program and he’s around the football team and pulling for them, that’s why I have great confidence in him in pressure situations.”
Chellis has had other big kicks in his career, including 49-yarder against West Virginia Tech back in which still stands as the longest field goal of his career. Chellis, however, has hit from 53-54 yards in practice.
The Summerville, S.C., native has had a well traveled career, beginning at the University of Mississippi and continuing at Clemson University before he found his home at ETSU, which has been a perfect fit for him and the Bucs.
After a year spent at Clemson, a year in which Chellis did not kick for the Tigers, he brought his game to ETSU with help from Hamilton’s father, who was one of Chellis’ coaches at Summerville High School.
“My dad was coaching the offensive line at Summerville High School during Con’s senior year and I was aware of him (Chellis) then,” Hamilton said. “We found out he was looking for a place to go and we needed a kicker and the rest is history.
“It’s worked out great for us and for Con also.”
Chellis agrees with his coach and believes the situation could not have worked out any better.
“It’s been a perfect transition for me,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Chellis had another choice of where he wanted to continue his playing career after high school other than Ole Miss, and that was the team he just beat with his most recent field goal, The Citadel.
“I grew up going to Citadel games, it was a weekend routine,” Chellis said. “I grew up pretty much thinking I was going to The Citadel.
“I narrowed my search down to them and Ole Miss, but they (Ole Miss) were more into me in recruiting, they wanted me more than The Citadel.”
The victory over The Citadel was not only special for Chellis, but he also believes it could be a confidence booster for the Bucs throughout the rest of the season.
“I think we realized we can move the ball,” he said. “We were able to get 178 yards rushing against one of the premier defenses in the country.”
Hamilton also agrees that the victory was one that the Bucs needed and will give them confidence with the upcoming schedule, which includes games against Furman and Georgia Southern the next two weeks.
“It was something we needed from an emotional standpoint,” Hamilton said. “It can be an inspiration for our team to carry on, knowing that we can be productive this year.”
Although Chellis is focused on doing what he can to help the Bucs win games this season, the senior kicker does have plans that may or may not include football.
Chellis plans on going to law school, but he would enjoy a tryout with a professional football team to further his football career, although he is not depending on a future with football as he knows the odds are quite difficult to reach the next level.
“That always goes through your head, but I’m not really hung up on it,” said Chellis, referring to a tryout with a professional football team. “I know the realism of the situation, the odds. I know how many people make it and how many don’t.
“I can’t count on any of that. If I get a tryout wonderful, if not I’m not depending on it.”
The Bucs will be depending on Chellis to continue to do what he has done best, make clutch field goals to help ETSU win football games.
Chellis will no doubt leave big shoes for future Buccaneer placekickers to fill next season.
“He’s a quality football player,” Hamilton said. “He has had a tremendous impact on our football program.

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