Kickoffs in college football have the potential to become some of the most exciting plays in the sport. A return to the house can reverse the momentum of a game and ignite a previously dreary atmosphere.
But it is P.J. Rosowksi’s job to prevent just that. Rosowski, the University of Wisconsin football team’s kickoff specialist, maintains the goal of depositing the ball deep into the end zone or beyond for a touchback, thus preventing a return and the possibility of a game-changing play, thus forcing opponents to begin their drives from the 25-yard line.
Rosowski said a touchback is his goal every time he winds up a kickoff, unless he has instructions from the coaching staff to utilize a different kicking tactic, such as kicking it high and allowing the coverage team to pin the ball closer to the opposition’s goal line, or executing a squib kick.