Talented special teams can be a force multipliers for your football team, especially in the kicking game.
The ability to score three points from any reasonable distance and your punter pinning the opposition deep in their own territory consistently is crucial to the success of the overall game plan.
Last year, Florida State kicker Jake Weinberg was 63 percent on field goals (12-of-19). In the final two games of the season, Weinberg was 1-for-4 on field goals in losses to NC State and Florida. In a three-point loss to Pitt, coach Mike Norvell called for the field goal unit out only once.
This season, Norvell will call on kicker Gabe Panikowski. Panikowski transferred from the dumpster fire that was the Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-11), but for some reason saw no game action. He stood on the sideline as the starting kicker made 75 percent of his field goals (15-of-20).
The season before while at Idaho State, Panikowski was converting kicks from all over the field. Panikowski was a perfect 15-of-15 on field goals, with nine coming from distances between 30-39 yards out, and was 44-of-47 on point after attempts. Against Northern Arizona, Panikowski converted the fourth-longest field goal in school history, from 55 yards. He also averaged 63 yards on kickoffs.
For his efforts, Panikowski earned the Fred Mitchell Award as the nation’s best non-FBS kicker. He also was named first-team FCS All-American and first-team All-Big Sky.
During fall camp, Panikowski showed consistent accuracy from 45 yards plus, and also converted from 50 yards or further. Panikowski showed he could send the football 2-3 yards deep in the end zone, and also a hang time of 4.132 seconds. He has also been named to the Lou Groza Award watch list for this season.
When the situation arises, Norvell should call on Panikowski to score points and, if necessary, to win football games. He has the leg and the accuracy to make an impact.
The next in a long line of talented Australian punters, Daniel Hughes will handle the punting duties for the Seminoles, and is a weapon that should not be overlooked. Last season at New Mexico, Hughes averaged 45.4 yards per punt and was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to the top punter in college football. With pinpoint accuracy, Hughes pinned 13 punts inside the 20-yard line, and boomed 13 punts 50 yards or farther. Against San Jose State, Hughes launched a 64-yard punt.
Panikowski and Hughes will be critical to Florida State playing winning football this season, something they have failed to do over the last 24 games, going 7-17 the past two seasons. Norvell has a strong and accurate kicking game that can be a force multiplier for the Seminoles and can help erase the stigma of two consecutive losing campaigns, beginning with a win against New Mexico State on Saturday.
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