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Editor’s note: The eighth installment of a nine-part series examining the Iowa State football squad in advance of the August 23 start of the season.
AMES Kyle Konrardy lets the crowd handle the tension and the enthusiasm.
In last season’s Cy-Hawk game against Iowa, the former walk-on turned Iowa State second-year starting placekicker made a game-winning field goal from 54 yards out without faltering.
When asked to relive that accomplishment, the Dubuque native’s eyes did not brighten either.
This is a product of Konrardy’s focus on craft rather than outcomes. On the field, good things happen if he does the right things every day.
That’s all there is to it: simple, everyday, yet effective.
Naturally, I’m grateful for the opportunity, Konrardy, who made 21 of his 28 field goal attempts in the previous campaign, said. It’s fantastic to have the chance to significantly influence our program and assist bring about such a transformation. I’m not really thinking about it going ahead. All I’m trying to do is go about my life and concentrate on the next game.
The following game is the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, which is the season’s first matchup against Kansas State. Furthermore, Konrardy is not the only ISU expert who could have a significant impact on how this unusual first meeting between the fierce rivals turns out.
After converting three quarters of last season’s kickoffs into touchbacks, former starting placekicker Jace Gilbert hopes to keep his kickoff responsibilities. Tyler Perkins, the starting punter in his fourth year, is already averaging a program-high 43.4 yards per boot. Additionally, players like Xavier Townsend, an electrifying transfer, aim to improve the return game.
In summary, as Konrardy demonstrated at Kinnick Stadium in September of last year, strong special teams win games.
Regarding his specialists, ISU head coach Matt Campbell stated that they are all driven to excel. They all have exceptional talent and qualities, in my opinion, and we will need those players to play at their peak if we want to be the best team, especially in the beginning.
As holder and kicker, Perkins and Konrardy have a special relationship. Additionally, Perkins set up Konrardy for a huge field goal that helped the Cyclones defeat the Hawkeyes 20–19. He has witnessed the growth of his younger kicker’s dedication to craft alongside his own.
Perkins, who will contribute a percentage of his NIL funds to food banks for the second consecutive season, said, “That was a really fun moment, getting to hold the game-winning field goal and all that.” I make an effort to put him right. Small things like kicking into the wind can help him hit a better ball by moving the ball a little bit forward. He will be very popular. He will have yet another fantastic season.
Speaking of big, you don’t say this about punters very often, but Perkins has lost 11 pounds of fat and gained 8 pounds of muscle. He is hence both diligent and detail-oriented.
He remarked, “I think I’m getting more consistent.” I’m also hitting a bigger ball. I am therefore excited for this year. It ought to be enormous.
Konrardy, who is six feet one, feels the same way and has put on five pounds. Additionally, he is improving, especially when it comes to longer field goal attempts. This is due to the fact that Konrardy missed six of his seven passes from 40 yards or more last season.
“I really concentrated on making my bad ball less bad during the offseason,” he remarked. I’m not sure whether or not that is confusing. I’m focusing on being more consistent with a straight ball; more contact and just a more pure hit. However, my terrible balls were missing left and right a lot.
He undoubtedly made the game-winning connection at Kinnick, which helped pave the way for ISU’s greatest start (7-0) and most victories in program history (11).
However, as Konrardy stated, that victory has no impact on this season’s outcome. He simply works as a result. and functions. and seldom frowns or smiles, regardless of the direction his kicks take.
You’re going to have these misses, of course,” Konrardy said. It all comes down to returning from them. Although no one is flawless, we focus a lot on helping you respond positively as a Cyclone. It’s truly amazing to accomplish that.
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