Wake Forest Athletics
Mora Makes Impact with Punting Game
11/21/2023 11:36:00 AM | Football
“My teammates, my coaches and my faith helped me get through it all.” - Ivan Mora
With the Demon Deacons leading Rutgers 31-10 in the Gator Bowl, punter Ivan Mora got down the field on kickoff coverage, sustaining an injury to his foot while assisting in stopping the return. He knew something was a bit off, but hadn't even looked down until a Scarlet Knight yelled to the sideline.
"When it happened, I felt something in my foot," Mora said. "It wasn't pain, but I just knew something was off. That's when I heard one of the Rutgers players shout something and I looked down at my foot, and it was obviously dislocated. It wasn't what I wanted to see, but I'm big in my faith and everything happens for a reason.
"At that point, a lot of people would question why things happen. I just thanked God, and for some reason He wanted me to go through that."
After surgery during the offseason, Mora missed all of winter workouts and the spring camp leading into the 2022 campaign. He finished rehab and was ready to go for the season, where he punted 40 times for 1630 total yards — a 40.8 yard per punt average.
"Once we got back from our break and seeing everyone go through winter workouts and then spring camp was tough," Mora said. "You go out there and see everyone playing and having a great time — they're getting better. I was focused on rehab. It was difficult. The team did a great job of keeping me up and keeping me involved. My teammates, my coaches and my faith helped me get through it all.
"I just got to work knowing I was going to come out better because of that. I'm glad to be out here playing once again and competing with my team."
Being able to go through a full camp and work with the strength and conditioning staff during the offseason has helped produce a more efficient and confident Mora in the 2021 season. He's averaging 41.3 yards a punt and has pinned opponents within their own 20-yard line 15 times this season.
"It was very helpful," Mora said. "Last year when I came back, I kind of just went right into fall camp. This year I had more preparation. When you prepare a lot over the offseason, it helps you feel more confident entering the season. You know how much work you've put in.
"Last year, I put in a lot of work to get back on the field from my injury. This year working with the specialist made me happy and helped me gain confidence entering the season."
While the Wake Forest offense is still looking to find its footing and the defense has risen to the challenge, games have had less scoring than year's past, making the field position battle all that much more vital.
"Every time I go out on the field, my goal is to pin the opponent deep," Mora said. "In situations like that, when I know scoring points will be at a premium, on a pooch punt if I put them within the 10-yard line, it certainly makes it more difficult for the opposing offense to score. That's my way of helping the team, so I try to pin them as deep as I can.
"Like any game, you just try to focus on the next one, because the previous play no longer matters. You have to go onto the next play and do the best you can."
The group of specialists spend a lot of time together both on and off the field, and work to keep each other sharp and focused.
"We've all done a good job this season," Mora said. "Tyler (Black) and Caleb (Carlson) have kicked off really well. Matt (Dennis) has obviously done a good job of hitting big field goals in games this year. (Will) Cobb (Wake Forest long snapper) is a big part of that, in terms of getting the ball back to us and starting the operation clean.
"We try to compete with each other in order to help make each other better. We know that our job is really important. When Tyler kicks it off and puts it in the end zone, he knows he's doing his part."
Mora pinned Pitt within their own 20-yard line three times in seven punt attempts as the Demon Deacons came from behind for a 21-17 victory earlier this season.
"We always try to stay prepared for whatever situation arises," Mora said. "Like at the end of Pitt, going out for that extra point. It was really important, because that made it a four-point advantage, which means Pitt would have to drive all the way down for a touchdown. We also have awareness about how much time is left on the clock, and we're staying ready for a mayday field goal attempt."
A redshirt junior, Mora is enjoying his time in the classroom at Wake Forest as well as his adventures on the football field. He cites Leni Caldwell as one of his favorite professors.
"She does a great job of keeping the entire class engaged," Mora said. "When I was going to her class, all her students knew they were going to have a good day. She always brought the class up.
"Wake Forest has been amazing. I'm super happy that I ended up coming here. I love everyone that I come into contact with. I love the professors I've had. I'm grateful."
"When it happened, I felt something in my foot," Mora said. "It wasn't pain, but I just knew something was off. That's when I heard one of the Rutgers players shout something and I looked down at my foot, and it was obviously dislocated. It wasn't what I wanted to see, but I'm big in my faith and everything happens for a reason.
"At that point, a lot of people would question why things happen. I just thanked God, and for some reason He wanted me to go through that."
After surgery during the offseason, Mora missed all of winter workouts and the spring camp leading into the 2022 campaign. He finished rehab and was ready to go for the season, where he punted 40 times for 1630 total yards — a 40.8 yard per punt average.
"Once we got back from our break and seeing everyone go through winter workouts and then spring camp was tough," Mora said. "You go out there and see everyone playing and having a great time — they're getting better. I was focused on rehab. It was difficult. The team did a great job of keeping me up and keeping me involved. My teammates, my coaches and my faith helped me get through it all.
"I just got to work knowing I was going to come out better because of that. I'm glad to be out here playing once again and competing with my team."
Being able to go through a full camp and work with the strength and conditioning staff during the offseason has helped produce a more efficient and confident Mora in the 2021 season. He's averaging 41.3 yards a punt and has pinned opponents within their own 20-yard line 15 times this season.
"It was very helpful," Mora said. "Last year when I came back, I kind of just went right into fall camp. This year I had more preparation. When you prepare a lot over the offseason, it helps you feel more confident entering the season. You know how much work you've put in.
"Last year, I put in a lot of work to get back on the field from my injury. This year working with the specialist made me happy and helped me gain confidence entering the season."
While the Wake Forest offense is still looking to find its footing and the defense has risen to the challenge, games have had less scoring than year's past, making the field position battle all that much more vital.
"Every time I go out on the field, my goal is to pin the opponent deep," Mora said. "In situations like that, when I know scoring points will be at a premium, on a pooch punt if I put them within the 10-yard line, it certainly makes it more difficult for the opposing offense to score. That's my way of helping the team, so I try to pin them as deep as I can.
"Like any game, you just try to focus on the next one, because the previous play no longer matters. You have to go onto the next play and do the best you can."
The group of specialists spend a lot of time together both on and off the field, and work to keep each other sharp and focused.
"We've all done a good job this season," Mora said. "Tyler (Black) and Caleb (Carlson) have kicked off really well. Matt (Dennis) has obviously done a good job of hitting big field goals in games this year. (Will) Cobb (Wake Forest long snapper) is a big part of that, in terms of getting the ball back to us and starting the operation clean.
"We try to compete with each other in order to help make each other better. We know that our job is really important. When Tyler kicks it off and puts it in the end zone, he knows he's doing his part."
Mora pinned Pitt within their own 20-yard line three times in seven punt attempts as the Demon Deacons came from behind for a 21-17 victory earlier this season.
"We always try to stay prepared for whatever situation arises," Mora said. "Like at the end of Pitt, going out for that extra point. It was really important, because that made it a four-point advantage, which means Pitt would have to drive all the way down for a touchdown. We also have awareness about how much time is left on the clock, and we're staying ready for a mayday field goal attempt."
A redshirt junior, Mora is enjoying his time in the classroom at Wake Forest as well as his adventures on the football field. He cites Leni Caldwell as one of his favorite professors.
"She does a great job of keeping the entire class engaged," Mora said. "When I was going to her class, all her students knew they were going to have a good day. She always brought the class up.
"Wake Forest has been amazing. I'm super happy that I ended up coming here. I love everyone that I come into contact with. I love the professors I've had. I'm grateful."
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