Matt Rhule evaluating kicking game as Alvano recovers

Behind closed doors on Saturday, the pressure was on for the Nebraska football team’s kickers.

As Nebraska scrimmaged, practicing pressure situations like fourth downs or goal-line stands, its special teams units had to face the pressure too. The Huskers did so without sophomore kicker Tristan Alvano, who remains sidelined as he recovers from a minor groin surgery.

Alvano continued to wear a yellow jersey signifying his injured status on Friday and went through practice drills on his own. With John Hohl and Nico Ottomanelli as the team’s lone healthy kickers going through camp, head coach Matt Rhule said the players rotate which days they kick heavily to reduce wear and tear.

After a major special teams day on Friday, further evaluation was needed as both Hohl and Ottomanelli kicked during the scrimmage.

“We’re pretty consistent, (but) I don’t know how far out we go and be consistent,” Rhule said. “In my opinion in college football, you want to be reliable with the ball inside the 30 (yard line) and reasonable out to like the 35 or 36 (yard line).”

Rhule also said that Nebraska’s kickers should be “automatic” from within the 25-yard line, though that was not always the case with Alvano last season. The kicker missed a 36-yard try against Illinois last season and was 3-for-8 on field goals of 40 yards or further — marks Rhule hopes Nebraska can improve upon moving forward.

“I feel like we’re getting to be where we’re pretty automatic from the 25 (yard line) and pretty reliable inside the 30,” Rhule said. “We’re getting there and we’ve got some guys who can really kick off and impact the game that way.”