Nebraska Swaps Kicker Kyle Cunanan for John Hohl

Nebraska replaced its kicker mid-game after Kyle Cunanan missed a field goal against Washington.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football

Nebraska Swaps Kicker Kyle Cunanan for John Hohl

Nebraska replaced kicker Kyle Cunanan with John Hohl during its game against Washington. Cunanan had missed a 36-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, and Hohl made a 42-yard field goal on his next attempt.

Why it matters

Cunanan had made only four of eight field goal attempts before the game, and the missed kick would have given Nebraska a 10-3 lead. The move signals that the coaching staff was willing to change its kicking plan in the middle of a close contest.

Cunanan had converted four of eight attempts before the Washington game, and his missed 36-yard try came early in the fourth quarter. Hohl, who made 10 of 15 field goals in 2024, connected from 42 yards on his first attempt.

The players

Kyle Cunanan

Kyle Cunanan is a Nebraska placekicker whose field goal struggles in the Washington game led the team to replace him mid-game.

John Hohl

John Hohl was Nebraska's starting kicker in 2024 and came in to make a 42-yard field goal against Washington.

Brett Maher

Brett Maher is Nebraska's special teams co-coordinator, overseeing the kicking unit.

The details

Nebraska's special teams staff had decided to stick with Cunanan despite his struggles, but the coaches ultimately turned to Hohl after the miss. Hohl took the field for Nebraska's next field goal attempt, and the team had held kicking competitions in practice before the change.

2024: John Hohl was Nebraska's starting kicker, making 10 of 15 field goals.
Saturday night: Nebraska played Washington, and Cunanan missed a 36-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Season Trajectory

The kicker change comes as Nebraska's season hinges on close games, where a single field goal can decide the outcome. Reversing the 2024 arrangement, in which Hohl was the starting kicker, shows the staff is willing to adjust personnel within a game to protect its margin.

The change means Hohl is the kicker to track for Nebraska's remaining field goal attempts this season. Fantasy managers relying on Nebraska's kicking production should note Cunanan's 4-of-8 mark before the Washington game.