Northwestern Wildcats punter Luke Akers. David Banks-Imagn Images

Son of Eagles legend to handle kicking duties for Northwestern

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Oct 11, 2024 7:33 PM ET

Anyone watching the Northwestern Wildcats on Friday will note a familiar last name doing the kicking.

Northwestern’s regular kicker, Jack Olsen, will miss Friday’s game against Maryland due to a lower-body injury, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. As a result, Luke Akers, son of longtime Philadelphia Eagles kicker David Akers, will handle kicking duties.

Source: Northwestern will be without K Jack Olsen, who is week-to-week with a lower body injury, tonight at Maryland. Luke Akers, the son of NFL K David Akers, will handle kicking and punting duties for the Wildcats. pic.twitter.com/QoAXKttIr0

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 11, 2024

The younger Akers is Northwestern’s punter and also handles kickoff duties. Until now, however, he has yet to actually handle regular kicker duties. The senior is in his third year with the Wildcats, having transferred in from UCLA following the 2021 season.

David Akers is a six-time Pro Bowl selection who is still best remembered for his time with the Eagles. He converted on a 63-yard field goal in 2012, which at the time was tied for the longest made field goal in NFL history. He's a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team as well as the Eagles' Hall of Fame, among his many accolades.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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