Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule is fully aware that John Hohl hasn’t shown what he can really do just yet. Unfortunately, in his first action of the season, the transfer kicker missed what would have been a game-winning 39-yeard field goal against Illinois.
However, Rhule also thinks Hohl has much better in him. And he’s got one heck of a leg that could really bring the boom in coming weeks.
"He's got talent and a big, big, big leg,” the Nebraska football head coach said during his time with the media on Thursday afternoon. Rhule added that while Hohl and Tristan Alvano were competing for the starting job in fall camp, Hohl was hitting so many 50+ yard were a “highlight of camp.”
In the same press conference, Rhule said that Alvano is still banged up and won’t be able to go against Purdue. That means the job is Hohl’s once again. The coach added he thinks the kicker has bounced back well this week.
Nebraska football kicker has the ability to hit boomers
The special teams has been an issue both this year and for several years prior. Especially when it comes to field goal kickers being remotely consistent.
The Huskers have lost more than a few games over the last two years because of that inconsistent kicking. The hope now is that Hohl will start to settle in and perform better with more action.
Last week’s game against Illiois was the first time he’s kicked in a college game. He did hit a chipshot 21-yard field goal before he missed the 39-yard attempt. He also knocked through several extra point attempts.
Of course, the real hope is that the Nebraska football team won’t really need him to make kicks in order to win. Though it would be nice to see him hitting some long field goals to pad a lead and prepare for later in the season.