THE CANADIAN PRESS

WINNIPEG -- They're tied for the CFL's worst record at 2-5 but if there's been a bright spot this season for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, it's the play of kicker Alexis Serna and punter Mike Renaud.

After finishing last season with a league-low 66.7 field goal percentage, Serna, 24, has connected on 14-of-17 attempts (82.4 per cent) this year, including a career-long 54-yard boot.

One reason Serna gives for his turnaround is the more relaxed working environment under new head coach Mike Kelly.

Case in point was Tuesday's practice in preparation for Friday's game in B.C. against the 3-4 Lions (TSN, 10:30 p.m. ET).

The practice had to be held at a grass football field rather than Canad Inns Stadium, which was being prepared for Saturday's AC/DC concert.

The grass was high and Kelly jokingly yelled to the five-foot-seven Serna to make sure he was wearing shoulder pads so he could see him.

"So then he came walking out and he had his little contraption that he tees the ball up with, and he'd put a towel on it like a flag and he was walking around holding it up," Kelly said with a laugh.

"We have that kind of a relationship and I think that's really helped in his mindset of being relaxed and feeling accepted."

Last season, Serna was often in former head coach Doug Berry's doghouse, with the boss glaring at him and hunting him down on the sidelines to yell in his face after a miss.

Fans were also unforgiving, booing and screaming at him when he missed or booted a poor punt.

"It was definitely tough, but I learned a lot from it," said Serna, who still thanks Berry for bringing him into the league. "I feel I'm a lot stronger because of that season."

Serna said he read a lot of golf books in the off-season to help his mental approach. Both games focus on one hit at a time and the importance of keeping your mind clear, he explained.

"I love to play football and I enjoy it and (Kelly) helps keep that mentality around," he said. "I get to joke with him on the sidelines or at practice and it's good to have a good laugh.

"I've got to be happy in order to be kicking well."

Serna's load has also been lightened since the punting duties were handed to Renaud, who was acquired in a June trade with Calgary.

The Bombers' offensive ineptness has caused the six-foot-three rookie to punt a league-high 66 times for 2,633 yards, an average of 39.9 yards.

A few weeks ago, Renaud asked former Winnipeg punting legend Bob Cameron to come to practice to give him some tips.

"He's just done everything we've asked him," Kelly said. "I think he has a tremendously bright future as a punter in this league.

"And I know he's a fan favourite right now for his ability to run and tackle."

A receiver at Concordia University, Renaud took a high snap in last week's loss to Montreal, pulled the ball down and ran 25 yards, dragging some tacklers with him. He's also barrelled down the field after punts to lay some hits on opponents.

"I love it. I played receiver in university so I'm used to getting hit and knocked around," Renaud said, adding he knows his limits.

He proudly noted that since he made three tackles in a July 24 game against Toronto, other teams are now using someone to cover him.

"It's taken a guy out of their return team to cover me, which is beneficial for us, so I'll keep doing it every now and then just to keep them honest," he said.

Notes: Receiver Terrence Edwards (turf toe) and linebacker Siddeeq Shabazz (ankle) are probable for Friday's game. Safety Ian Logan (groin), defensive back James Johnson (turf toe) and defensive lineman Dorian Smith are out . . . Kelly said he may soon give quarterback Stefan LeFors a few series, but he'd rather do it away from home rather than before the restless local fans.