14-08-2025
Nebraska football closing in on naming a starting kicker for season opener
As the opening of Nebraska's 2025 college football season fast approaches, there are still several important questions to answer about the team. One of those questions is 'who will be the starting kicker on August 28?'
The Huskers experienced turnover at the kicker position, which was impacted by the transfer portal. Nico Ottomanelli transferred to Sam Houston State, while Kyle Cunanan transferred into the program from the California Golden Bears.
Cunanan is a touchback specialist. He tallied 21 touchbacks in 2023 and one touchback in 2024. He had 51 kickoffs with 22 touchbacks in total.
The transfer is competing against sophomores John Hohl and Tristan Alvano. Last season, Hohl went 10-of-15 on field goals and 23-of-25 on extra points. Alvano only appeared in three games in 2024 due to injury and finished 3-of-4 on field goals and 12-of-12 on extra points.
Special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler met with the media earlier this week and provided details on the training camp battle.
'I'll just say this, at the end of next week, we'll name a guy and we'll roll. We got a close battle right now. They've all done some nice things, and we're gonna need all three of them. It's not where you start, it's where you finish."
Nebraska will open the 2025 college football season on Thursday, August 28, when the Huskers face the Cincinnati Bearcats at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. CT.
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