Editor's note: Throughout Spring Football, GoJacks.com will take an in-depth look at various position groups. The initial installment of 1st and Goal focuses on the Jackrabbit quarterbacks.
BROOKINGS – The South Dakota State University football team returns a key member of its special teams unit with Chase Vinatieri taking the field for his second year as the Jackrabbits' kicker.
A sophomore, Vinatieri earned the starting kicking duties in 2016 fall camp and went on to earn a spot on the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team. The Sioux Falls native made 11-of-17 field-goal tries and set a single-season school record with 56 extra points in as many attempts to rank second on the team with 89 points.
All of Vinatieri's misses were from 43 or more yards. However, he connected on a season-best 42-yard field goal in the Jackrabbits' regular season win at North Dakota State and his 40-yard field goal in the final minutes gave SDSU a 10-7 victory over Villanova in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Vinatieri may be counted on for additional duties this season following the departure of kickoff specialist Sam Koob. Jackrabbit opponents averaged 19.4 yards per kickoff return last season.
Also going through spring preparations are Andrew Kirschenman and newcomer Jake Wolfe. Kirschenman has competed in spring ball each of the previous two seasons, including kicking four field goals in the 2015 Spring Game.
Next installment: Safeties
