Son of legendary NFL kicker to make kicking debut for Northwestern

Sep 30, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Northwestern Wildcats helmet on the field prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Anyone watching the Northwestern Wildcats on Friday will note a familiar last name doing the kicking.

Northwestern’s regular kicker, Jack Olsen, will miss Friday’s game against Maryland due to a lower body injury, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. As a result, Luke Akers, who is the son of longtime Philadelphia Eagles kicker David Akers, will handle kicking duties.

The younger Akers is Northwestern’s punter and also handles kickoff duties. Until now, however, he has yet to actually handle place-kicking duties. The senior is in his third year with the Wildcats, having transferred in from UCLA following the 2021 season.

David Akers is a six-time Pro Bowl selection who is still best remembered for his time with the Eagles. He converted on a 63-yard field goal in 2012, which at the time was tied for the longest made field goal in NFL history.

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