Mister Automatic

Scott Enos has found a habit that makes it easy to kick.

"I get physical therapy every day," said Enos, who has not missed an extra-point kick during his 25-game Hawaii football career.

That streak of 92 successful point-after kicks in a row is a UH record.

The accomplishment is remarkable because the previous mark was held by Jason Elam, who enjoyed a long career in the NFL, and because each of Enos’ kicks induces a painful wince.

Since the opener against Southern California, Enos has suffered from arthritis in his lower back.

"I’ve been hurt all season," Enos said. "I’m always limping off on kickoffs because my arthritis is hurting me. It started probably after the USC game. I’ve been feeling it all year."

By playing through the discomfort, Enos, a senior, allows the Warriors to redshirt Tyler Hadden, a freshman.

"They need me to kick," Enos said.

Enos said he receives daily ice treatments and electrical-stimulation sessions.

Each Monday, he runs. He does light exercises on Tuesdays. "I go back to work Wednesday," he said.

Enos said he will attempt up to 30 field goals and 10 kickoffs each week in practice. Hadden and sophomore Kyle Niiro will be used during scout kickoffs and field-goal drills.

By game day, Enos is ready to go.

Then the next day, he said, smiling, "I’m hurting."

Long snapper Luke Ingram said: "It takes a real athlete to do what he does to get ready, and still do the job."

Enos, who has converted 15 of 20 field-goal attempts, said making PATs should be automatic.

"You can’t miss," Enos said.

He said he relies on clear thinking.

"When you’re kicking, you don’t want to have any negativity in your mind," Enos said. "You want to block all of that out."

Before each PAT, he goes to the spot where the ball will be held, takes three steps backward, then two steps to the left.

"I shrug my shoulders to relax my body," he said, "and turn my shoulders into the proper alignment, and kick. Those motions get me focused."

In 2009, his first UH season after transferring from Sierra College, Enos converted all 34 of his extra-point kicks. This year, he has hit all 58, also a UH single-season record.

The image of inspiration can be found in his locker.

"I have an autographed picture of Jason Elam there," Enos said.

It is, in fact, a photo copy. The original is in his family’s home in Granite Bay, Calif.

Enos and his father used to collect autographs. Several years ago, his father mailed a request to Elam, who responded quickly.

As soon as he was assigned a UH locker, Enos taped the copy of the photo.

Underneath, there is a Michael Jordan quote: "Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, some people make it happen."

"It’s something that I keep there for motivation," Enos said.

Enos has several autographs from kickers. There is one from Adam Vinatieri on a picture of him kicking the game-winner against the Oakland Raiders in blizzard-like conditions. There is one from Ray Guy, the legendary punter who is in the College Football Hall of Fame.

And, every so often, Enos is asked to sign a picture. His first autograph request?

"Probably from my parents," Enos said. "They always like to have me sign things."