The royal world of 'King' Louie
By Brad Rock
That's because the Utes have King Louie.
Wyoming needs a big lead today at War Memorial Stadium in order to win. Otherwise, trouble. Louie Sakoda, the Utes' All-American kicker, isn't likely to miss a late-game kick. He's a near-perfect remedy for what ails a team. In dermatological terms, he's a wart remover, erasing those unsightly blemishes. In the medical sense, he's a bottle of aspirin, fixing a variety of problems.
Today the Utes and Cowboys meet for the 81st time, and despite the predicted triple-whammy of rain, snow and a hostile crowd, Utah can take comfort in knowing Sakoda is in tow. He has already won two games this season with his kicking first at Michigan, where he made four field goals, and again last week when he nailed the game-winner against Oregon State.
The success has made him a household name on campus. Strangers stop him in the bookstore to offer high-fives. Media outlets wait for him every day after practice an abnormality for kickers. Fans carry signs to the stadium that say things like, "King Louie Reigns!"
An unassuming 5-foot-9 senior, he's become a bona fide campus celebrity.
"Yeah, it's kinda weird," he said. "It's a little creepy. But it's been fun."
Seems everyone wants a piece of Louie.
"Every day, it's fun to wake up," he said.
So naturally, the question begs: Has his newfound celebrity helped him socially?
"It's hard to tell if girls are being nice because of what I do on the field or whatever," said Sakoda. "But it doesn't hurt my chances with the girls, if that answers your question."
Sakoda is arguably Utah's most popular player. Quarterback Brian Johnson is the team's best-known figure, but his streaky play has been a source of both exhilaration and exasperation. Defensive end Paul Kruger is an overpowering presence, but doesn't score points. The running backs divide the minutes and conquer.
Sakoda seems to attract the attention every game. He's a great story, having made 13-of-15 field goals this year. His only misses were on kicks of 48 and 54 yards, in high winds at Air Force.
But that doesn't mean he's your classic oddball kicker. He doesn't talk to the football or forget his helmet. He's a normal, well-adjusted guy. When pressed, he admits he was popular in high school.
"I've never really been an outcast," he said. "There's no real reason I should be put under the stigma that kickers have of being weird, because I'm not."
But he is a phenomenal punter and placekicker, having made 83 percent of his career field goals. His 10 MWC player-of-the-week awards ties the league record.
Recent comments
I just hope he is working with the 2nd string kicker and teaching him...
Ute Fan & Alum | Oct. 11, 2008 at 11:37 a.m.
Player with most impact on any MWC team. Potential First-team...
Louie Fan | Oct. 11, 2008 at 10:14 a.m.
If you have three children, you could name the third, Adokas, which...
Bob2 | Oct. 11, 2008 at 10:10 a.m.
- Jackson memorial performers 5:32 p.m.
- 'Idol' judge DioGuardi gets married 5:29 p.m.
- 'Three's Company' actress gets DUI 5:28 p.m.
- Willis aims to rebuild Idaho lodge 5:26 p.m.
- Utah Co. commuter line progresses 5:25 p.m.
- Student sentenced in alcohol death 5:13 p.m.
- Movsisyan signs Danish deal 4:49 p.m.
- Utah fugitive pleads guilty in Fla. 4:28 p.m.
- Police suspect suicide at park 3:42 p.m.
- Hatch: BCS too arrogant to change 3:41 p.m.
- Don't listen to marriage cynics
126 - Palin resigning as governor
112 - Lack of Obama photos concerning
107 - Palin's and Romney's roles in 2012?
103 - Letters: Palin mistreated
98 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
95 - Jazz talked Kirilenko for McGrady
94 - Utah leaner in too-fat country
91 - 'Tea party' protesters unhappy
87 - Jazz plan to re-sign Millsap
82
I just got off the phone with Utah's senior senator Orrin Hatch who will...
RSL striker Yura Movsisyan is reportedly on his way to Denmark to join...
Tim Buckley's July 4 story saying the Jazz talked with Houston about an...
So what's your point? We are all spirits too, A spirit with a body, ...
The only changes that were made from Bush to Obama is the money changers in...
Re: 'China Beach': It always comes down to the money. Funny, the money was...
RE: TEACHER | 8:34 a.m. July 6, 2009 If you work so much how are you...
There is nothing illegal about the BCS. If the NCAA wants a football...
With all the problems in this world and we are focusing our attention on...
Typical crybaby neoconservative. When the heat's on they quit.
I have a 23 year plan that will cure all that ills America. Every...
I can't wait to see when everyone qualifies for Medicad. It doesn't pay or...
"Watch out for the Aggies." Why, are they going to win more than 3 games...


