During the 2015 University of Hawaii football training camp that served as a job fair, Rigo Sanchez applied for three positions.
Despite heated competition — Nebraska kicker Mauro Bondi transferred to UH that summer — Sanchez eventually won the jobs for place kicks, punts and kickoffs. Those skills helped Sanchez earn recognition as the Mountain West Conference’s Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday.
Sanchez converted field goals of 24 and 35 yards in the Rainbow Warriors’ 34-17 victory over San Jose State on Saturday. Sanchez has made all five field-goal attempts this season.
“El hombre esta muy frio,” said coach Nick Rolovich, describing Sanchez as being cool under pressure.
Sanchez averaged 44.5 yards on six punts against the Spartans. He is 14th nationally with a 45.0-yard average. Nine of his past 17 punts have exceeded 50 yards.
On Saturday, four of Sanchez’s seven kickoffs reached the end zone. Two of his kickoffs were launched from the UH 20 because of unsportsmanlike penalties against teammates.
“His approach to his craft is at a high level,” Rolovich said. “He’ll get a shot in the NFL because of how much he cares about it. He has great talent, but he works at it. He’s always looking for a way to be better. And that’s why he’ll be successful in life.”
Sanchez was admittedly surprised when Bondi decided to join in 2015.
“I came in here with a positive mind-set,” Sanchez said. “I wasn’t going to lie to myself. I was kicking the ball solid. I thought, you know, I’m just going to come in and be me. Whatever happens, happens. I didn’t know if I was going to win the (place-kicker’s) job. But I came in confident.”
It wasn’t that Sanchez had too much on his metaphorical plate with three jobs, he had too much on his training-table plate. In the offseason, he worked with strength/conditioning coordinator Bubba Reynolds on diet and core exercises. He lost 15 pounds, and now weighs 185, and added strength and flexibility.
“I’m trying to be fit,” Sanchez said. “It helps me as a kicker. I feel my abdominal area gives me more power to the ball, if that makes any sense.”
He also has compartmentalized his focus. “When it’s time for a field goal, it’s time for a field goal,” Sanchez said. “Nothing else comes to mind — not kickoffs or punts. It’s remember your motion, remember your technique, and go out there and believe in yourself.”
Rolovich said: “I love his approach. I love how important being a Warrior is to Rigo. He has probably an unappreciated leadership role on this team. He just wants to win.”
