COUNTDOWN TO CAMP: Can Idaho State improve its kicking game?

The Idaho State football team begins fall camp on Aug. 1. To get you ready, we’re counting down with a question every day until camp begins.

Today’s second question: Can Idaho State improve its kicking game?

“Talking about kicking will be interesting,” said ISU head coach Cody Hawkins. “Can we get consistent specialist play? Last year, we were awful in kickoffs. We’ve got to do better just because starting field position is so important in helping the defense.”

Last season, ISU averaged 52.64 yards per kickoff vs. the opponent’s average of 63.99. The net kickoff average for the Bengals — in other words, where did the other team start their drives after subtracting yards for returns or out-of-bounds kickoffs, was 35.94 for ISU vs. 48.77 for the opponents.

With the departure of senior placekicker Thomas Kopcho, who made 5-of-9 field goal attempts last season, the Bengals have brought in three kicking specialists to challenge incumbent Ross Bolger, who did the majority of kicking off last season. In 35 kickoffs, Bolger averaged 54 yards, had nine touchbacks and booted four out of bounds, which gives opponents a first down at their own 35-yard line.

Bolger was also the regular punter for ISU, averaging 41.22 yards per kick, with a net of 36.63 after return yards were subtracted.

“I think Ross was good as a punter, I don’t think he was elite,” Hawkins said. “His ability to do everything was awesome.”

But Hawkins would like one of the three new kickers in camp to take the placekicking responsibilities off Bolger’s shoulders. The three competitors are Gabe Panikowsky, a transfer from Sacramento State by way of Riverside City College, Ethan Cutler, a junior transfer from Eastern Oregon who is originally from Idaho’s Eagle High School, and Mason Lindberg, a freshman from Arizona.

Panikowsky made 15-of-21 field goal attempts at Riverside JC last year, with a long of 44 yards. He made 67-of-72 extra points. During the 2022 season at Sacramento State, he averaged 62.7 yards per kick with 17 touchbacks on 48 attempts. He had five touchbacks against Utah Tech.

Cutler played two seasons at Eastern Oregon, making 7-of-9 field goal attempts last year, and 6-of-11 in the 2022 season. He also punted for Eastern Oregon.

Lindberg made 9-of-15 field goal attempts and 36-of-40 extra points last season at Mountain View High School in Mesa, Ariz.

ISU’s special teams will also be under new management this season, with the departure of assistant coach Jesse Thompson. Scott Thiessen will manage the punting game and Nick Alaimalo the kicking game. Both will report to Dan Hawkins, the newly-hired Director of Player and Staff Development.