TEMPE, Ariz. — A wide left on the penultimate drive and an even wider left on the last drive have created a position battle that's wide open.
Consider it a kicking conundrum, and Kenny Dillingham is disgusted.
"Our kicking game is atrocious so if you can kick and you're at Arizona State, email me," he said in the postgame press conference after Saturday's loss.
Dillingham has since cooled down from the emotional interview, apologizing to his kicking unit and expressing confidence they'll turn it around.
However, he still plans on going forward with the tryout.
It is an invite-only situation that's set for Wednesday, and junior Nolan Krinsky says he will be there to kick in front of the coaches.
"In practice, my furthest field goal is 65 (yards) and furthest field goal in game was like 45 to 50," Krinsky said.
Krinsky knocked home those kicks for his varsity high school team.
He had offers to play at Division III schools but hasn't played in a game in three years. To stay sharp, he practices three times a week and has trained with the current ASU kickers in the offseason.
"When I go out and I try with them too, I feel like I'm right on their level," he said.
It's not the first time Krinsky has attempted to walk onto the football team. He tried out as a freshman for the previous staff and knows the drills like the back of his hand and the front of his foot.
"You have to do a sickle cell test and a physical," he said. "I'm one hundred percent in. I did all of it. I'm ready to go out and compete."
While Krinsky has secured a doctor's approval, the process is not an exact science.
The ASU coaching staff may be missing out on a qualified candidate in Harvey Doleman.
Doleman is a 25-year-old graduate student from the United Kingdom, and his leg might be able to clear the Atlantic Ocean.
"I bring something different that no one else probably trying out will. I've been a rugby player my whole life," he said.
Doleman said he heard the call for kickers over the weekend. He has practiced for only four days with a football and has already hit a 58-yard field goal.
"I know it's a bit different changing to this ball, but if anything it just feels like it goes further," he said.
Whether his kicks will reach the ASU regime is up in the air. Given he's the kicker for the school's club rugby team, he says he's not hard to find.
"They're looking for someone who can make (kicks) under pressure and I think that's something I can do and excel at. So if that's what they want, they know where I am," he said.
The goal for ASU is more made field goals.
These two kickers say they can fill the need. Yet it remains to be seen if the issue will be kicked down the road or if the starter will be kicked to the bench.
"It might put some fire under their feet so they perform better in games," Krinsky said. "If it comes to that point where they might need to replace someone, I think the opportunity is set for me to do that."
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.