Dean Janikowski’s season was off to a shaky start. He missed two of his first five field goal opportunities and had also missed a pair of extra points in the first four games of the season. So when coach Jake Dickert called on his kicker to make a 52-yard field goal to send the game to overtime, the crowd at Gesa field fell into suspense.

When the Cougars fell behind 46-43, all hope seemed to be lost. But with less than a minute left, John Mateer led the Cougar offense downfield, leaving just enough time for one more play, a 52-yard kick that would either send the teams into overtime or send San Jose State home victorious.

Janikowski had previously hit a career-long of 50 yards in 2022. The senior kicker had made 38 field goals in his three-plus years as a Coug, but this kick would arguably be his biggest yet.  It would also redeem himself from his missed extra point earlier in the game.

With the crowd on their feet and all eyes on him, Janikowski nailed it. The Cougars celebrated, and eventually went on to win the game in overtime, 54-52. Janikowski was a hero.

“I said I believe in Dean, and I told him that,” said Dickert. “For him to come back and be able to wipe [the missed extra point] in that quick of time is impressive.”

Janikowski was a hero for the Cougars in their win, and he is also a hero off the field, helping raise money for his foundation to help fight cancer. He was recently named to the 2024 Allstate Good Works Team, and is also on the watch list for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, which honors college football’s top community servant.

On the season so far, he is now four for six in field goals (67%) and 19-for-21 on extra points (91%).