Northwestern has struggled with its kicking game at times in recent years, but Joel Howells may let the Wildcats breathe easier. In seven games as the Wildcats’ No. 1 kicker, he has made 11 of 17 field goals with two blocks and one hitting the uprights.
His performance in Saturday’s 34-29 loss to Penn State earned him the Big Ten’s special teams player-of-the-week honor. After making only 2 of 6 field goals in the first three games this season, he made 5 of 6 Saturday.
“I got comfortable and was striking the ball pretty well,” said Howells, whose only miss was from 46 yards. “Unlike the last couple of weeks, they were going in.”
Howells, a former walk-on from Sycamore High School, made a 25-yarder with 2:10 left in the game to give the Wildcats a 29-27 lead. He also connected from 20, 25, 42 and 46 yards.
Howells set a school record with the five field goals, and he tied NU’s record of 17 points in a game by a kicker.
The previous one-game record of four was set by Sam Valenzisi in 1993, and matched by Valenzisi in 1995, Brian Gowins in 1998 and Tim Long in 2000.
———-
Next: Oct. 8 vs. Wisconsin, 11 a.m., TV TBA
More Top Picks Best Ergonomic Office Chairs For Home Offices