LARAMIE – Jay Sawvel knows his name.
 
Nearly five years after injuries forced former Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl turned to an unfamiliar placekicker in the 2020 opener at Nevada, Erik Sandvik is auditioning to replace John Hoyland in the lead role.
 
"Sandvik, I'm in a good spot with him," Sawvel said of the transition.
 
Hoyland graduated as UW's all-time leading scorer (366 points) after making 73 of 92 field goals (79.3%) and 147 of 148 extra points (99.3%) over the last five seasons.
 
The former walk-on from Broomfield, Colo., has been helping coach Sandvik this spring and is in Alabama this week training with the hope of getting an opportunity to compete at an NFL training camp this summer.
 
Sandvik, who spent his youth skiing and playing soccer in Steamboat, Colo., walked on at UW in 2023 after attempting only two field goals in high school.
 
The redshirt sophomore has impressed the coaches and his teammates by consistently making long field goals during spring practice.
 
"I've been here for almost two years now, so I've been sitting behind John, and I've been very thankful to be behind John," Sandvik said. "He's been a great mentor to me, and I've learned so much from him over the last two years, but I'm excited to finally step into his place and take the starting spot."
 
Sandvik, who is competing with former Cheyenne South standout Keelan Anderson, booted a 61-yard field goal during a recent live team drill in the Indoor Practice Facility.
 
Sawvel has tried to put as much pressure on Sandvik as possible during spring practice, including the threat of making him watch the rest of the team go through punitive exercises if his kicks don't go through the uprights.
 
"As a kicker especially, you've got to come in with confidence," Sandvik said when asked about his strong showing through 10 practices. "When he puts me in those pressure situations when the whole team has to do up downs if I miss, you just can't think about that. You've got to go out there and keep doing what you know how to do.
 
"I worked really hard this winter to try to get ready for spring ball. I was maybe a little surprised, but I know I've put in enough work that I can do what I'm doing."
 
Sandvik, who was 1-for-2 on field goals as the backup placekicker on his high school team, attended UW's summer football camps after graduation. The FBS long shot didn't miss a kick and hammered his kickoffs, which led to an invitation to join the program as a backup behind Hoyland.
 
During one of the first fall camp practices in 2023, Sandvik caught Bohl's eye.
 
"We were just doing field goals and he finally put me out there to do one," Sandvik recalled. "I vividly remember him saying, 'You're not too bad, Sandvik.' We were out on the North 40 (practice fields) on the grass. That was a cool moment."
 
Hoyland sent Bohl into the sunset with a game-winning field goal in the 2023 Arizona Bowl and finished 15-for-19 on field goals during Sawvel's first season as head coach in 2024.
 
Before the 2025 opener at Akron on Aug. 28, the Cowboys want to figure out where Sandvik's sweet spots are.
 
"What I've got to do with Sandvik is fully learn his wheelhouse," Sawvel said. "I think I have an idea where he's best at right now and where he kind of has a little weak spot, but I need to know that for sure. OK, the game is on the line, this is where we want the ball for him to drill it."
 
Sandvik has been accurate, including from 50 yards and out, throughout the spring. He plans to pick up where Hoyland left off as a reliable weapon for the Pokes in the fall.
 
"My confidence has increased. Coach Bohl could probably tell you about some times when I was a little nervous and kind of messed up," Sandvik said of his development. "It's like night and day. I feel way better now, way more confident in my abilities, and I'm excited to perform."
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes. 

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