One of the most boring plays in college football the past few years – the kickoff – figures to be a fan favorite in 2007.

Why?

Tees this season will be placed on the 30-yard-line, not the 35.

Those five yards figure to be enough to put the touchback on the endangered list.

“You look at the NFL : there are very few touchbacks in the NFL. We’re now kicking it from the same spot they are,” KU special-teams coach Louie Matsakis said. “It’s naturally harder to kick it out of the end zone. Here in Kansas, playing with the wind, anything can happen. At Colorado, with altitude, you can never tell. A lot is field conditions, but I expect a lot more kick returns this year.”

So does KU senior kicker Scott Webb.

“It definitely won’t be impossible (to boot it out of end zone). I still think you’ll see a lot of touchbacks. I will say there will be fewer,” Webb said. “I think it’ll be a good challenge. I’ll have to better myself this year.”

Not one to back away from a challenge, Webb says he’s actually in favor of the new rule.

“The 30 : that’s what the NFL guys do. I see nothing wrong with it,” Webb said. “The real purpose I’d say is to try to shorten the games, get more returns. We’ve had quite a few touchbacks the last couple of years. I think that’s the main reason, and I can understand that.”

He’s not going in unprepared.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Tulsa, Okla., native, who converted 13 of 18 field goals last year and 29 of 42 for his career, worked on leg strength in the offseason.

“Nothing out of the ordinary, I just tried to get my leg stronger. I’ve been in the weight room all summer long,” Webb said. “It’s gotten a lot stronger. I think it’ll show on the field.”

Matsakis, who is in his first year at KU, says Webb is in excellent condition for the season.

Kansas University kicker Scott Webb (39) connects on one of the four field goals he kicked against Kansas State last season. Webb counts that game as one of his highlights last season.

“I watched film when I got here from last year and compare it to practice, and he has a lot more pop on the ball,” Matsakis said. “He’s looking even better than he did a year ago. A lot has to do with maturity and hard work. Coach (Chris) Dawson does a great job individualizing everybody’s needs in the weight room. I think the hard work pays off.”

Webb is hoping to go out on a high note.

“Last year was a a fun year. There weren’t any major highlights. The K-State game was a lot of fun for me, probably my best game,” said Webb, who hit four field goals, including a career-best 49-yarder in a win over the Wildcats. “Other than that, it was just a regular season. I went through and had a good time.

“I don’t think I could ever be happy unless I’m 100 percent, and I’m not. It’s what I’m striving for this year.”

He is a contender for all-league honors.

“I’m expecting very good things from myself to help this team out,” Webb said. “I think our kicking game can be great this year. I know myself and Tucker (Kyle, punter) have been working real hard. I think we’ll do great this year. The kicking game is always so important.

“Personally, I’ve got to put points on the board every time I’m out there. No matter if it’s one or three : it’s always important.

“I want it all. The better I do : that means the better our team is doing. I want to be 100 percent, to have as many extra points as possible and be up there. The better award I get at the end of the season means the better our team did.”