Iowa long snapper stays out of the spotlight

Iowa long snapper Andrew Schulze likes playing football in obscurity.

Schulze, a junior from Woodridge, Ill., takes his job seriously and if it's done it right, nobody knows who he is. That's the way he wants it.

“I try not to do too much, just snap the ball,” he said. “Once it's done, hopefully I don't have to talk to any reporters.”

Schulze is in his third season as Iowa's long snapper, an obscure but vital role. He took over the second game of his freshman season and hasn't missed a beat. He said last year's snap on Daniel Murray's 31-yard field goal to beat Penn State was the most “nerve-racking” snap of his Iowa career.

“It was about as nervous as I got out there, but it's something we do in practice three times a week,” Schulze said. “(I've) probably done it a thousand times since I've been here. ... I snapped it, Ryan (Donahue) did a good job holding it (and) getting it down and Dan obviously kicked it through.”

Schulze tried to embrace Murray but 40,000 fans stood in his way. Schulze celebrated the victory in his own way and returned to his weekly routine the following Monday.

The specialists are left mostly alone during practice. Schulze and Donahue - the punter and holder - spend two hours trying to perfect a snap. For a field goal or extra point, Schulze tries to hit Donahue in the placement hand. From snap to kick, everything should be done in 1.3 seconds. For a punt, Schulze aims for Donahue's right hip. For the most part, Schulze is accurate.

“We work together all practice, whether it's me helping him with drills, him helping me with drills,” Donahue said. “It's a great situation because we're always together on the field at practice and the game. We know each other pretty well.”

Schulze nearly chose Illinois State for academics but went to Iowa after his high school coach persuaded him to try long snapping. He was placed on scholarship this year.

Schulze admits the transition from two-way starter in high school to designated snapper was difficult to reconcile.

“It was a big adjustment coming from high school where I played a position and played what I felt was a bigger role on the team, but you kind of realize that now that everybody has their own position and role, and mine is to snap punts and field goals,” he said. “Rick's (Stanzi) might be to throw a touchdown pass, somebody else might be to block, but my job is snap the ball to Donahue on punts and field goals.”