Deseret News | Reader comments: Kickers aren't nerds anymore

Reader comments
Brad Rock: Kickers aren't nerds anymore

metamoracoug | 8:05 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

For any who doubt the value of a good kicker, our high school central Illinois high school has been runner up to the state championship several times in the past decade and a half. Until last year, we've not had anyone that can kick a field goal. In the final minute of the state championship game, our sophmore kicker booted a field goal to win the game! Who ha!

Re: metamoracoug | 9:23 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Central Illinois High School...is that who BYU played on Saturday?

History | 9:26 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

After Sakoda's final field goal sailed through on Saturday, many of the Ute faithful in the stands praised his name with chants of "Louie! Louie!" There, standing in the tradition of Michigan Stadium, in what became the Big Quiet House, possibly for the first time was a kicker's name chanted in praise. Heisman trophy winners, NC teams, and beloved kickers...that stadium has now seen it all.

Comments continue below

OK, | 9:55 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

BYU played Central Illinois High School on Saturday and the yoots will play Thistle Junction Middle School (Weber State). What's your point?

Anonymous | 10:13 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

they are still kickers...who cares?

OK Get over it | 10:15 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Don't Bowl Subdivision teams deserve a big payday as much as USU? Evidently the big shots in BCS conferences think it's fine to beat up on a lesser team to pad their records. So when BYU is forced into it by Nevada and Utah gave Weber a break, you people get all hot and bothered.

aggieblue | 10:42 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

You left out (shocking) Pete Caldwell up at USU... 6'5" 240 One of the only bright spots saturday for the aggies 42 yard field goal, 55, 56 yard punts and 2 inside the 20. 46.5 yard average for the day... Not bad. I hear he's quite a hockey player as well.

Bad Karma | 10:50 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Weber could be Utah's only loss this year. I love where the Utah program is now, but the way Ronnie was let go could come back to haunt Utah football for a long time. It could make last year's UNLV game look good in comparison.

Sakoda the man | 12:00 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

I was looking on ESPN last night and found their first installment of Heisman Hopefuls. Louie made the list. Although he probably has about as good of a chance of winning the Heisman as BYU has of winning the national championship this year, it was nice to see him get some recongnition on a national level. I can't ever remember seeing a kicker in the running, even this early in the season.

Harrison High | 12:02 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Give me a break. weber state is still affectionately known as "Harrison High".

regardless how you slice it kickers are still the odd duck. You leave them alone during the game. They have to come in the game, cold, and get you points. I remember well our kicker in college. Nice guy off the field, but a nut during games. A real basket case.

Caldwell Forgotten | 12:41 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

How can you talk about the best kickers in Utah and not include Peter Calwell from USU. When the best player on the team is a kicker...don't you think he should at least get a mention.

Cupcake | 1:26 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Why are people making comments about BYU's game, yeah they play NIU, Utah plays Weber, NIU is a much better team then Weber. Although, Utah has been prone to lose to crapy teams, watchout the purple pride might have something to say in a couple of weeks.

Payne | 1:38 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Payne was not the typical kicker, with his kamakaze tackling and hitting style.I remember the hits former BYU kicker made on opposing returners. One made sportscenter. Until then I had never heard of a kicker give such bone-crushing tackles.

Anonymous | 3:43 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

hey kicker is the freaking best position on the field!! i have see the kicker at my school and he is a stud he gets girls every weekend and everyone loves him!!! i loved this article, it gives the kickers the respect that they deserve.

Anonymous | 3:45 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

hey we all know that louis is the best kicker in colledge, but who is the best in highschool for utah since soreson is gone?

Special teams player of week | 6:11 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

K sakoda is good and all but i don't see how he got special teams player of week kicking 4 field goals isn't all that hard. Oneal chambers should of got it he ranks #9 in the nation in kick returns.

grumpolman | 6:22 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Who can forget the famous doink off the upright that cost the utes a win over the cougs a few years ago. Justin Sorenson will stomp Louie into the ground, he'll make U go Louie who?

Weber State | 6:57 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Alot of you people dog on Weber, Big Sky Conference, and other FCS teams when they consistently beat lower-tier teams in the Mountain West- SDSU, New Mexico (in the past), UNLV, and other WAC opponents.

Re: Grumpolman | 7:07 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Who can forget Matt Payne's yip of a chip shot to lose to BSU in Idaho.. Justin may be able to hit the long one, but obviously he's just a Happy Gilmore..otherwise he'd be kicking the short ones too.

Anonymous | 9:10 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

i'm betting this kid who keeps asking in every forum "who is the best high school kicker this year?" happens to be some high school kicker who just wants to see his name on here. its not the first time i've seen that same post by "anonymous"

Nadie Sabe | 10:35 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

I'm glad that Payne was mentioned, he wasn't a nerd, I think everyone at BYU loved him. Louie is also a good kicker, the only difference is who has more heart?
I'd go with Payne. I mean he did miss a chip shot to lose to BSU, but until Louie can lay a hit like Payne did to the BSU returner, twice I might add, I'll take him any day. Even the best of the best have off days.

Re: Special teams player of the | 11:08 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Another BYU fan who just can't give credit to the guy who won the game for the Utes. Sakoda scored 13 points. Chambers took a fair catch inside the 10 which led to a UNI defensive touchdown. I guess you are right. From now on, only BYU players can win player of the week awards.

Ute Fan | 3:18 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

How many of you think Louie Sakoda will make it to the top five? Or maybe, just maybe the top three? Or maybe he will WIN the Heisman trophy!

Anonymous | 7:11 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

im glad people are now saying "our kicker will kick your kickers butt!" ooh try and act harrdd

Re: Nadie Sabe | 9:05 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008

Payne? Payne missed FGs in 3 games that would've changed the outcome that year. He was the difference between 5 wins and 8 wins. Kickers are important and Payne wasn't good in his senior year.

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