Rebel fans know senior Evan Pantels, who enters his third and final season at UNLV, as a record-setting field goal and extra-point kicker. After all, he is the school's career leader in percentage for both categories. However, after also having to handle punting and kickoff duties over his time here. Pantels has some help in the leg department this fall in the form of veteran transfer Hayes Hicken.
           
You can call him Kickin' Hicken -- because that's what he does and that's his last name. A three-sport star at Highland High School in Salt Lake City, Hicken went on his church mission right out of high school and served two years in Tampico, Mexico. After returning to the U.S. he walked on to the hometown University of Utah program, whose stadium is just five minutes away from the Hicken home. After a redshirt season, Hayes served as the Utes' kickoff man in 2016 and then shared the job last fall.

"Utah has both the Ray Guy winner and the Lou Groza winner on their team so…"



Hicken finished his bachelor's degree in break-neck speed (he majored in Spanish so he had a bit of a head start after living South of the Border) and set out to find a new opportunity as a graduate transfer with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

The Utes' loss was the Rebels' gain says UNLV special teams coordinator Travis Burkett.

"Lucky deal for us getting a grad transfer who has demonstrated performance at Division One football and is a three-for-two guy. Hayes can do all three (punting, kicking and kicking off). After 19 practices (spring ball and fall camp), right now he's the leader in the clubhouse to be our punter and our kickoff guy. He's really proficient there and Evan is doing a great guy doing extra points and field goals for us right now."

So how does a former LDS missionary from SLC end up in Vegas?

"My high school coach helped me in looking for a better opportunity and I ended up here," says Hicken. "We were looking at different schools who may be able to use a combo-kicker. We got in touch with Coach Burkett, sent him some film. He said it would be an open competition for punter and kickoff here so after I was accepted for grad school, I made the move."

Hicken, whose older brother, Beau, also lives in town attending medical school, is now pursuing his master's in information systems while looking to help his new team reach new heights.

"I feel like I made a great choice for a new spot. The heat here is a little different, takes a bit getting used to. The altitude, compared to Utah, makes a difference -- maybe a couple of yards – but I feel really good about my punting right now."
           
In addition to getting a later start in college, Hicken is, shall we say, follicly challenged. Do his teammates notice his bald appearance?

"Some of them give me a hard time. They think I'm the oldest guy on the team -- but I'm not (longtime military man Darren Palmer owns that honor). I'm 'only' 24 – but it's all relative, right?"
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UNLV held its fourth day of camp Monday and moves into full-pads Tuesday. Practice is closed to the public.

UNLV opens its season September 1 at USC. The home opener is September 8 vs. UTEP. Season tickets are on sale now starting at only $99 for all six home games. Three-game and group ticket packages are also available with Eat All You Can Plans for as low as $79 per ticket. UNLV has also introduced the Better Seats Promise. Ticket plan holders are guaranteed better seats than single-game purchasers. Other season ticket packages include faculty & staff, alumni and groups.
 
To learn more or to purchase tickets, please visit UNLVtickets.com or call 702-739-FANS (3267). Parking is free at Sam Boyd Stadium for Rebel football games. Season ticket holders will receive priority access for seating at Rebel games inside Las Vegas Stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2020.