Wyoming Banking on Raw Talent as Sandvik Navigates Early Career Growing Pains

Jeff Bugher
Nov 29, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Erik Sandvik at CU Boulder. Photo by Troy Babbitt, UW Athletics

Wyoming sophomore place-kicker Erik Sandvik didn’t come to Laramie as a polished specialist. In fact, he wasn’t even a full-time kicker in high school. At six field goals out of ten attempts, especially after two missed 50-plus-yard attempts at San Diego State, questions arose from fans about whether Wyoming needs a dedicated kicking coach. Yes, Wyoming does have a kicking coach… except for head football coach Jay Sawvel; before that, it was his predecessor, Craig Bohl.

Sandvik, a Steamboat Springs native, told us about his experience in high school football.

“I was a backup in high school,” he said. “I did kickoffs and some extra points, but my main sport in high school was soccer.”

He didn’t begin formal training until late in high school. “I didn’t start working with a coach for kicking until after my junior season… And I had two attempts at field goals in high school.” One went in - a 40-yarder - while the other, a 53-yard try, missed. “I made the first one… and then I missed the second one,” he said.

Sea Level, Humidity, and Tough Warmups

During warmups at San Diego State, head coach Jay Sawvel was not present on the field for all of Sandvik’s warmup kicks. Sandvik was stretched out, and several of those deep attempts fell short or wide, something we saw with our own eyes.

“I made some. I missed some,” he said. “It was kind of hard down at sea level with the humidity. That definitely adds another challenge. Add in the wind was swirling around.”

Despite the visible struggles pregame, Wyoming still opted to attempt two field goals from roughly 50–51 yards during the game. Sandvik missed both.

“I felt really good warming up that game,” he added, even though the ball behaved differently. “When I came back here to Laramie… it was way different. The ball just flew way better. It was kind of a shock to go down to San Diego and see that. But it was a good learning experience.”

Communication With Sawvel

Head coach Jay Sawvel spoke with Sandvik after the loss. The young kicker says Sawvel was supportive.

“He was supportive,” Sandvik said. “I kind of went quick on that field goal because I saw the play clock was running down, so I kind of rushed everything. I rushed the kick too, which I don’t need to do because I don’t need to go fast to kick it… it was definitely a learning experience and he helped me realize that.”

Learning From the Best

Sandvik spent two years behind Wyoming’s all-time leading scorer John Hoyland, and his influence hasn’t stopped.

“He just constantly helped me out, gave me advice, gave me some drills to do,” Sandvik said. “He’s always been super helpful and supportive. And I always try to give that back to him.”

Hoyland was even at the SDSU game and spoke with Sandvik afterward.

“I had a good conversation with him after the game, and he was super supportive and helpful,” Sandvik said. “Gave me some tips on how to kick at sea level when the ball doesn’t fly as far.”

The two remain in close contact. “Yeah, he does,” Sandvik said when asked if Hoyland still reaches out. “I would say we communicate quite a bit throughout the season… I would say it’s year round.”

Does Wyoming Need a Kicking Coach?

Wyoming does not currently employ a dedicated kicking coach, except for head coach Jay Sawvel who takes on the role. It is uncommon for a college football team to employ a kicking coach; those duties are typically handled by a special teams coordinator or an assistant. In most cases, the person charged with the duties hasn't been a kicker.

Sandvik’s path, development timeline, and the technical challenges he described show how much more focus on the position might help. With Sandvik still young, talented, and learning in real time, the question becomes whether Wyoming’s program would benefit from structured, specialist-specific coaching rather than relying on general staff oversight and peer mentorship.

Later during the season, Sawvel said redshirt freshman Keelan Anderson might take over for longer kicks. Anderson is known for his booming long-distance field goals during his high school days.

Margins matter.

Sandvik Fun Fact:

Away from football, Sandvik has another passion.

“I ski raced in high school,” he said. “I’ve been doing it since I was three years old… I feel like I’m better at skiing than I am running.”

He raced all four years and made the state championships every season, placing top-10 in some events.