Kicking in a new environment

Image by Henry Creel Gopher Football kicker Luke Drzewiecki (12) practices infront of Gopher fans, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Drzewiecki would go 2 for 2 on field goals to help the Gophers upset the University of Michigan. Kicking in a new environment University of Minnesota kicker Luke Drzewiecki has yet to miss a kick this season, earning the confidence of his teammates and coaches. Categories: Football Marquee Sports by Logan Reitzner Published October 30, 2026 University of Minnesota kicker Luke Drzewiecki won the game with a 46-yard field goal on Saturday in the Gophers’ 13-10 win against the University of Iowa. The kick kept his perfect season alive and brought home Floyd of Rosedale for Minnesota. This is nothing new for Drzewiecki. “All you got to do is kick [the football],” Drzewiecki said. “Very simple job.” Drzewiecki arrived at the University of Minnesota in late August. He transferred from the University of New Mexico, where he played four seasons as a walk-on. Drzewiecki talked about the difficulty of getting to know his teammates and that he makes a point of sitting with teammates who are alone. He immediately got acquainted with Minnesota’s history upon arrival and understood the importance of winning Floyd and the Little Brown Jug. Drzewiecki ran out of eligibility after last season  — he was then invited to try out for the Baltimore Ravens during their rookie camp. Drzewiecki later joined a lawsuit with 40 other athletes and was granted another season of eligibility. He decided to play for his former special teams coordinator, Daniel De Prato, who is also in his first season at Minnesota. De Prato talked about his last two seasons working with Drzewiecki and the kicker’s calmness in high-pressure situations. “Luke was a walk-on at the University of New Mexico and was being evaluated to be our kicker, and the exact same as he was [against Iowa], was how was in spring ball of 2025 when he was competing for a spot,” De Prato said. De Prato has helped revitalize Minnesota’s special teams this season. The Gophers have two punt-return touchdowns from first-time returner Javon Tracy. Minnesota has also forced muffed punts and shown more confidence in the kicking game. Minnesota only made 14 of 21 field-goal attempts last season. They went 0-for-2 on field goals longer than 50 yards and 2-for-5 from 40 yards or longer. Their longest made field goal was 46 yards. “It’s always about the next [game], and I will say that’s something we say in our room all the time,” De Prato said. The longest made field goal this season is 51 yards, and they are 5-for-5 on attempts from 40 yards or longer. Drzewiecki has earned the trust of more than just his coaches. Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey recalled when he first heard Drzewiecki was transferring to the Gophers. “I was like, ‘that’s awesome’,” Lindsey said. “And then you get around him, and he’s just a really special person. He’s the same guy every single day.” Later in the season, Lindsey and Drzewiecki had a conversation while Lindsey was eating the day before the Iowa game. “I was like, ‘Bro, you’re making a game-winner tomorrow.’ He’s like, ‘Shoot,’ and then he was walking down the field, and I said, ‘This is crazy’,” Lindsey said. “Like these are the moments you manifest with people.” Lindsey’s prediction came true on Saturday — Drzewiecki became the hero for Minnesota in one of the most intense rivalry wins over Iowa. With Minnesota heading into the rest of their games this season, Drzewiecki’s composure and confidence will be important as the Gophers face ranked Big Ten teams including Indiana,  UCLA, Northwestern and Wisconsin. “I’m just so grateful [De Prato] thought to still reach out to me and want to bring me here,” Drzewiecki said. “I get the opportunity to play with all these great young men. Be a part of that culture, that program coach Fleck builds. It’s more than football. You get to learn life lessons.” View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Leave a Comment More to Discover More in Football Week 10: Gophers football hopes to upset undefeated No. 8 UCLA Gophers football falls short in overtime loss to No. 4 Indiana Week nine: Gophers go head-to-head with the defending national champions Gophers football reclaims Floyd of Rosedale in rivalry upset No. 20 Gophers men’s hockey faces No. 9 Duluth Bulldogs for an in-state rivalry game Gophers transfer receiver Noah Jennings makes immediate impact More in Marquee Allison Lussier’s partner charged with murder, but her family says justice isn’t served yet ‘More music’: The Minnesota Opera Orchestra puts on a benefit concert amid uncertain times Meet Mouthful, Minneapolis’ rising indie rock band Opinion: Social media is making us antisocial, and only we can change that Minnesota’s midterms unfold smoothly amid worries of federal interference Midwest Greek Step Show unites generations of University alumni More in Sports No. 18 Gophers men's hockey hosts border rival No. 1 Wisconsin Gophers men's basketball defeats North Dakota in season opener Gophers women’s basketball beats Harvard in season opener No. 2 Gophers sweep Duluth on the road No. 18 Gophers men’s hockey earns overtime win after tie against Penn State Gophers men’s and women’s basketball host opening-night doubleheader