Idaho State’s Panikowski 2024 Fred Mitchell Award winner
The Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place Kicker Award is proud to announce Gabe Panikowski as the most Outstanding Place Kicker for his excellence on the football field for the 2024 season, and for continued community service during his collegiate career.
The Award is named for Fred Mitchell, the All-American place-kicker from Wittenberg University and 41-year sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune.
“We are thrilled to announce Idaho State junior Gabe Panikowski as the 2024 winner of the Fred Mitchell Award, which recognizes the top placekicker among over 750 non-FBS colleges in America. His combination of accuracy (15 for 15, 100 percent) and distance (long of 55 yards) on his field goals stood out to the 37-man Selection Committee, as well as his proven commitment to community service,” said Mitchell.
The award’s Selection Committee Co-Chairman Matt Cotiguala said, “Gabe is only the fourth underclassman to win the award, which has been issued since 2009. All of the finalists this year brought incredible credentials for our review and we tip our caps to them for their spectacular seasons. We look forward to presenting Gabe with the Fred Mitchell Award trophy on Feb. 17 during the National Football Foundation Chicago Chapter ceremony.”
GABE PANIKOWSKI
Idaho State
FG: 15-15 | FG%: 100% | 1-19: 0-0 | 20-29: 3-3 | 30-39: 9-9 | 40-49: 1-1 | 50+: 2-2 | LONG: 55 | PAT: 42-45 | POINTS: 87
Gabe Panikowski has cemented himself as one of the best kickers in Idaho State University history after just one season with the Bengals. Panikowski has had a standout year in the FCS. In 11 games played, Panikowski has converted 42-of-45 total kicks on the season and is a perfect 15 for 15 in field goals this year with kicks of 55, 51, and 48. Panikoski hit 22 touchbacks on 34 kickoffs averaging 63.4 yards per kick. Panikowski’s field goal percentage is tied for No. 1 in the FCS and also has the highest number of made field goals while still remaining perfect on the season. Panikowski has, multiple times this season, led the Bengals to victory while also achieving individual success. Against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, Panikowski converted on a 55-yard field goal, the 2nd longest in the FCS this season and tied for 4th longest in Idaho State school history. Against the Cal Poly Mustangs on October 5, Panikowski kicked a walk-off 24-yard field goal to earn the Bengals the first conference win of the season. Gabe has been recognized by the Big Sky Conference twice this season as player of the week. Off of the field, Gabe has worked diligently in the community. On top of working Thanksgiving food drives, Panikowski helped with multiple holiday drives including toy and food drives. In partnership with a local senior center, Panikowski has volunteered his time helping local senior citizens with home projects and labor that they are unable to do. Panikowski has been vocal about passing knowledge on to the next generation of kickers. In hosting, including driving and housing, Pankiowski has helped mentor and work with kickers looking to play in the NCAA. Finally, one of his most important projects, Gabe is an adoption advocate. At the age of 7 Gabe and his three siblings were placed for and subsequently adopted after his birth mother was unable to care for the children. Starting in high school, Gabe has had multiple opportunities to work for adoption advocacy and is a constant vocal supporter of the service.
