Bronco Breakdown: Boise State returns one of the nation’s top duos at kicker, punter

Editor’s note: This is the 11th and final installment in a series breaking down Boise State’s likely starters and the top players in the Mountain West at each position.

Boise State kicker Jonah Dalmas and punter James Ferguson-Reynolds form this year’s best special teams duo in the Mountain West, if not the nation.

Dalmas, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship in 2020, is already the most productive kicker in Boise State history. He broke former Bronco kicker Kyle Brotzman’s career record of 67 field goals last season and now has 80 in his career.

The fifth-year senior also broke Boise State assistant coach Tyler Rausa’s single-season record with 26 field goals in 2021, and his career field goal percentage (.889) ranks No. 1 in program history.

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Dalmas has a chance to become the most productive kicker in Mountain West and NCAA history this year. He needs to hit just four field goals to set the Mountain West record, which former Nevada kicker Brandon Talton set last season. He needs to make 18 to break the NCAA career record, which Christopher Dunn set at N.C. State, where he finished with 97.

Dalmas has hit more than 20 field goals in three straight seasons. He finished last fall 24-for-27 and set a new career-long with a 56-yard field goal against UCF.

Dalmas said chasing those records is a big part of why he came back for a fifth season.

“I had those goals since my freshman year to become the best kicker in Boise State history and college football history,” he said. “Having that in front of me is exciting.”

Ferguson-Reynolds was even more impressive last season. He led the Mountain West and the nation, and set Boise State’s single-season record, with an average of 49.7 yards per punt. The junior from Australia was named first-team all-conference and earned All-American honors from Sports Illustrated, The Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association and College Football News after dropping 23 punts inside opponents’ 20-yard line and booting 29 that covered 50 yards or more. His longest punt of the season covered 71 yards.

Ferguson-Reynolds said he’s ready to improve on those numbers this year.

“That’s the bar now for me,” he said. “I try and keep that competition with myself because that’s the standard now, so I’m working every day to build my leg strength and things like that.”

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Projected depth chart

Starters: K Jonah Dalmas, 5-yr., 5-8, 180, Rocky Mountain High, Meridian, Idaho; P James Ferguson-Reynolds, Jr., 6-2, 183, Geelong, Australia.

Backups: K Taren Schive, Sr., 5-10, 182, J.W. North High/San Jose State, Riverside, California; P Jarrett Reeser, R-So., 5-8, 215, Canyon High/San Diego State/Michigan State, Canyon Country, California.

Mountain West K to watch

John Hoyland, Wyoming — The senior was 13-for-20 on field goals last season, but hit all 10 of his attempts inside of 45 yards. He hit three field goals of 50 yards or longer, including a career-best 56-yard kick. Hoyland was also named the MVP of the Arizona Bowl after hitting a game-winning field goal as time expired in the Cowboys’ 16-15 win over Toledo.

Matthew Dapore, Air Force — The senior ranked No. 4 in the Mountain West last season in field goal percentage (.789). He was 15-for-19 on field goals, including a season-long FG of 50 yards, which he hit against Boise State.

Mountain West P to watch

Marshall Nichols, UNLV — The junior was named honorable mention All-Mountain West last season after he ranked No. 2 in the conference and No. 6 in the nation with an average of 47.1 yards per punt. He dropped 18 punts inside opponents’ 20-yard line and had 22 punts that covered 50 yards or more.

Aaron Rodriguez, New Mexico — The sixth-year senior ranked No. 5 in the Mountain West last season after averaging 42.4 yards per punt. He dropped 17 punts inside opponents’ 20-yard line with just one touchback, and 14 of his punts covered 50 yards or more.