The Indiana Hoosiers, going into their most important game in the program’s history against Miami, were expected to be without their veteran long kicker. Senior kicker Brendan Franke hasn’t seen the field since October 25. Also, sophomore Quinn Warren was expected to start as usual. But now the latest update puts Curt Cignetti in a favorable position.

Both Indiana and Miami players are now busy engaging in drills as they prepare for the championship kickoff. Within those drills and warm-ups, Brendan Franke was seen hitting a 59-yarder. Apparently, the player has also been upgraded to “probable,” and now, with him busy doing his warm-ups, reports link him to be a game-time decision. Franke’s return could become a major factor in IU winning the game.

The redshirt senior has been playing college ball since 2021 and leads FBS kickers in touchback percentage. Franke was sidelined after the Hoosiers faced UCLA in October. At the time, reports described it as a non-contact lower-body groin injury. He went down right after kicking the ball, which traveled about 55 yards without a touchback. Ever since then, Indiana has been waiting for Franke to recover. What better time to return than the Miami game?

“I think he’s listed as questionable or doubtful. Questionable? We’ll know more probably after today’s practice,” Cignetti said on January 17. “Yeah, that was the big practice the last time we traveled to the Rose Bowl. We thought he would be ready, and he had a little setback. It was a huge factor. The guy kicked two 58-yarders back to back against Oregon when they called time, and I think the Iowa one was a 52-yarder.”

“We’re talking like three seconds to go in the half, which are huge points, and every kickoff through the end zone,” the IU head coach added.

Franke started his career in an entirely different sport: soccer. He was the starting goalkeeper for Gretna High School, but transitioned to being a kicker at Morningside College as a true freshman in 2020. Brendan appeared in nine games in that year, handling kickoff duties and securing 35 touchbacks out of 59. The Gretna, Nevada, native’s big break came when Nebraska came calling in 2021.

Brendan Franke has been prolific throughout much of his career

At Nebraska, Franke appeared in all 12 games for the team and became the team’s kickoff specialist, gaining a 61.3% touchback percentage. The 6’3″ and 230 lb senior’s key moments included hitting 6 kickoffs at an average of 62 yards against Illinois and averaging 63.5 yards on four kickoffs against Ohio State. Franke’s impressive performances continued in the 2022 season with Nebraska, with a 66.7% touchback percentage. Coming into the 2023 season, Franke transferred to Georgia Southern, redshirting and appearing in just 4 games.

In 2024, Brendan again switched colors, transferring to Texas State. There, the Nevada native took part in all 12 games, securing a stellar 82.1% touchback efficiency. Cherry on top? Franke didn’t have a single kickoff out of bounds, and only his 10 kickoffs were returned. Owing to the stellar performances, Curt Cignetti came calling for one final run in 2025.

Top Stories

Josh Allen’s Bills Coach to Quietly Retire as Sean McDermott Addresses ‘Tough End’ After Broncos Loss

Troy Aikman Allegedly Forced Mike McDaniel’s Firing as $6.35 Billion NFL Team Rejects Ousted Dolphins Coach

Concern Mounts as Texans’ Plane Forced to Remain Airborne After Tough Playoff Loss to Patriots

80-Year-Old Entertainment Icon Rejected From Winter Olympics Torchbearer List After Viral Comment

Ben Johnson Breaks Silence on Controversial Play Call After Disappointing Statement on Bears Loss

Steelers Make Brian Flores Decision Amid Search For Mike Tomlin’s Replacement – Report

Coming onto Curt Cignetti’s team, Franke was expected to become the primary kickoff specialist and long kicker. Before suffering an injury, he appeared in 8 games and continued putting in stellar performances as he did at Texas State. Against Oregon, Franke secured his first career field goal and tied the Indiana record for 58 yards. Moreover, the senior hit seven kickoffs, resulting in six touchbacks against the Ducks. Now coming into the Miami game, expect Franke to be a big part of the Hoosiers’ natty clinching performance.