Stephen Rusnak’s path to Cincinnati’s kicking job started later than most. He didn’t grow up as a football-first athlete. Instead, he spent his early years on the soccer field and didn’t make the switch until his junior year of high school, when he was told football offered the best route to the next level.
“I started playing football late in my high school career. I played soccer up until my junior year and then I was told, if you want to go play at the next level, football is where it's at. Take those like talents and go do something with them.”
Now entering his second year with the program after transferring to Cincinnati ahead of the 2025 season, Rusnak has already established himself as one of the steadier legs around. Last season, he went 13-for-17 on field goals and was perfect on all 47 extra-point attempts.
At one point, he was the only kicker in the country who had not missed a field goal since the start of the 2024 season, a run that ended with a miss at Utah on Nov. 1.
He was also named a Preseason All-Big 12 honoree by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
His sports background wasn’t limited to soccer, either. When asked about the athlete he looked up to most, Rusnak pointed to a name that doesn’t need much introduction.
“My favorite player growing up is not a football or a soccer player. It's a golfer, Tiger Woods.
It's a must, you have to say it. I played high school golf growing up, very similar to football in many ways or kicking.”
For Rusnak, the Cincinnati experience is tied as much to the setting as the results. He spoke about the fan base with obvious appreciation, calling it central to what makes the school feel different.
“The fans, they are everything. I think the fans are what makes this University what it is.
I think everybody can remember a night in Nippert and that is an atmosphere you can't replicate in many other places. I mean, the stadium's underground, it's beautiful.
At night with a sold out stadium, it's just remarkable.”
That same energy carries over into the way he talks about night games at Nippert Stadium, which he described as something special every time the Bearcats take the field.
“A Nippert that Night game means everything. The fans are remarkable. They pack out the stadium, not only on night games, really, every game of the season, whether it be home or even away too, it's awesome.”
He also made clear what the stadium itself represents to him and the team. In his view, the limited number of home games makes each one feel earned.
“Nipper Stadium is a special place. I think that when being in that stadium for only seven games of the year, six games of the year, we earn that right to be in that stadium on those days, in the winter, in the summer, in the spring. So I think being able to go defend the Nip, it's everything.”
When asked for his favorite football memory, Rusnak went back to Cincinnati’s win over Iowa State, a game he said stood out because of the opponent and the way the Bearcats handled all three phases.
“My favorite football memory, it's tough to beat Iowa State. We had a tough challenge on our hands, a Top 15 team, and to be able to dominate them like we did and every phase. Offense, defense ,special teams, and to be able to rush the field after and feel that sensation I think that was that was probably the best experience."
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Tylen Riley arrives in Cincinnati with a rsum that should translate quickly. The former Tulsa guard was a Second Team All-American Conference pick and is now using his final year of eligibility with the Bearcats, a move that gives Wes Miller another experienced backcourt piece as the program keeps trying to climb back into the national picture.
Riley said the coaching staff, fan base and city all played into his decision, and he sounded upbeat about what the roster can become this season. For Cincinnati, the appeal is obvious: a veteran guard who has already produced at a high level and looks positioned to be one of the players who can help push the Bearcats toward a return to March. [Read more 🡒]