OSU kicker bounces back with career-long FG

By Aaron Yost
Staff writer

CORVALLIS — Ten days ago, Kirk Yliniemi was starting to recover from an appendectomy.

He missed Oregon State's victory over New Mexico State and coach Mike Riley restricted his record-setting kicker from handling kickoff duties on Saturday against Boise State. Riley wasn't shy about using Yliniemi when it came to kicking field goals, though.

At the end of Oregon State's first offensive possession, Riley sent Yliniemi out to attempt a 51-yard kick.

"I didn't realize it was 51 until I got out there on the field. I thought it was a little closer," the senior from Monmouth said. "I wasn't worried though. I'd hit one from 60 yards during warmups."

That was without the Broncos applying any pressure. With them trying to get close, Yliniemi was on the mark for the 18th straight time. It was also a career-long, bettering his best effort of 50 against Washington in 2002.

Entering the season, Yliniemi had a streak of 15 straight field goals made. He extended that to 20 in the second quarter, then missed a 43-yarder before the half that would have given the Beavers the lead.

He finished the game hitting 4-of-5 field goals as the Beavers claimed a 26-24 victory. His 37-yarder in the third quarter gave OSU the lead for good at 19-17.

Yliniemi believed he hit the 43-yard attempt correctly, but the wind carried it wide.

"If it had been a little bit closer, it would have been good," he said.

Instead, Boise State — which was outgained and outdefended in the first half — mustered a 17-16 advantage on the strength of a broken play and a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown. The Broncos were winning the game with special teams.

"The punt return was a bad deal," Riley said. "It's one of the most important plays in the game and we take a lot of pride in covering punts and kicks."

Improving in that area is a weekly priority. It was one that was difficult to see against the Broncos.

Tim Gilligan ranks among the best in the nation when it comes to returning punts, and the Bronco senior executed the return flawlessly to put BSU ahead with 1:19 remaining in the first half. He slipped left to avoid one tackler, split the pursuit, juked by punter Carl Tobey and finally defeated the angles of two Beavers to complete the 62-yard return and leave Reser Stadium in stunned silence except for the chant of "Boise State! Boise State!" echoing from one corner.

That was the one return of note Gilligan managed as Oregon State clamped down better on all returns in the second half — although BSU had 250 yards in field position for the game between kickoff and punt returns.

"There were a lot of good special team plays," Riley said. "They are one of the best punt return teams in the nation. Our punt return team is one of the most crucial areas of the game. We have a lot of speed and really good athletes out there on that team."

Special teams is an area the Beavers will target for rapid improvement heading into Pacific-10 Conference play. Oregon State opens the Pac-10 this Saturday when it hosts Arizona State.

Yliniemi expects to be ready to kickoff by then, sending John Dailey back to the bench. Dailey filled in ably against New Mexico State, and handled the kickoff duties against BSU. One of his seven kicks resulted in touchbacks against the Broncos.

"He did a pretty good job," Yliniemi said. "He's a reliable kicker, so I have full confidence in him if I'm injured."

After waking up at 3 a.m. on Sept. 10 with stomach pains, Yliniemi doesn't anticipate anything getting in his way the rest of the season. He took Pepto-Bismol and went back to sleep that morning, but woke again at 5 a.m. feeling even worse.

He drove himself to the hospital, was diagnosed by 9 a.m. and had surgery by noon. Other than some minor soreness, he feels fine.

Hitting the 51-yarder was proof of that.