Feeling far from alone, Gaglianone delivers on a grand stage
September 04, 2016 | Football, Andy Baggot
Drawing strength from family and fallen friend, Badgers kicker hits fourth career game-winner
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BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
GREEN BAY — Wisconsin kicker Rafael Gaglianone had just completed one important mission Saturday when another beckoned.
Moments after he drilled a clutch 47-yard field goal that lifted the Badgers to a 16-14 upset of fifth-ranked LSU at Lambeau Field, Gaglianone climbed atop a gray metal bench and directed his gaze toward the south end of the legendary stadium.
His eyes squinted and moved until Gaglianone found his parents, Eduardo Gaglianone and Marta Nogueira, who had made the journey here from their home in Sao Paulo, Brazil. An immense smile came to life on their son's face. Then he blew them kisses.
When the biggest upset of college football's opening weekend was complete, Gaglianone hustled to the south end zone where a host of teammates were experiencing joyous Lambeau Leaps. It was amid that delirious whirlwind that the Gaglianones shared a massive family hug.
"They've always been there for me," Rafael said of his parents. "I really wanted to make them a part of this because I'm nothing without them.
"As a kicker sometimes you don't have as many opportunities to impact a game. When you get a game like that and your family's here to share that with you, that's pretty special."
The decisive kick, with 3 minutes, 47 seconds left, marked the fourth time in Gaglianone's career that he's provided the winning points during a fourth-quarter comeback.
No other kicker in school history has that many. In fact, dating back to 1948, there are only 11 other instances where a UW specialist has finished off a comeback victory with a field goal in the fourth quarter or overtime.
The other three kicks on Gaglianone's clutch resume came away from home: against USC in the 2015 Holiday Bowl in San Diego (23-21); vs. Nebraska in a Big Ten Conference game in Lincoln last season (23-21); vs. Auburn in the 2015 Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida (34-31).
The latest kick came on a day in which Gaglianone was perfect on three field-goal tries while performing in front of a uniquely partisan crowd of 77,823 in the inaugural Lambeau Field College Classic.
Gaglianone grew up playing soccer and last month rejoiced in Brazil winning the men's Olympic gold medal. His insights into Lambeau Field — the iconic NFL home of the Green Bay Packers — were somewhat limited until the spring when UW players and coaches came here for a practice and to get a lay of the land.
In short order, Gaglianone learned about the tradition of the Lambeau Leap. Wisconsin players were prohibited from doing any during the game against LSU — it would have resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty — but they made up for it once the scoreboard clock hit all zeroes.
"It was just as amazing as people told me," Gaglianone said. "To go up there and hug my family made it more special.
"Hearing everyone talk about this place and how special it was, and for me to experience it on a first-hand basis, it was much better than I expected."
Gaglianone believes he had some divine assistance on his winning kick.
His close friend, Nebraska punter Sam Foltz, was killed along with former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler in a one-car accident near Waukesha in late July.
Gaglianone was participating in the same kicking camp as the two men when the accident occurred. In addition to attending Foltz's funeral and keeping in contact with the Foltz family, Gaglianone switched his uniform number from 10 to 27 to honor his pal.
Prior to the winning kick Saturday, Gaglianone told UW special teams coordinator Chris Haering that 48 yards was his max given the breeze in the north end zone.
The kick was straight enough, but Gaglianone felt his late friend gave it wings for distance.
"I know he was watching over me," Gaglianone said of Foltz.
Afterward, Gaglianone shared a hug with LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye, who was a passenger in the car with Foltz and Sadler and miraculously escaped the accident with minor injuries.
Going 3-for-3 in the season opener was merely an extension of how Gaglianone performed during preseason camp. He came in lighter, stronger, fitter and more confident than last year when he was 18-for-27. As a freshman, Gaglianone was 19-for-22.
"Hard work's paying off," he said. "Sometimes your best is enough."
Sophomore punter/kickoff specialist P.J. Rosowski said his road roommate is the same guy today, confidence-wise, as he was when he arrived.
"When I came in, Raf always had that 'it' factor that you always (look for)," Rosowski said. "It's kind of a special thing."
Gaglianone made sure to credit his teammates for putting him in position to convert three times against the Tigers. The other two field goals came from 30 and 48 yards.
"It's not about me," he said. "It's about them getting me there."
UW coach Paul Chryst was asked about his confidence level in Gaglianone.
"I think we played to it," he said. "Once we felt like we were in field goal range we were going to put it in his hands."
Gaglianone said his parents flew into Chicago on Friday, drove to Madison and spent the night at his apartment. They got to Green Bay in time to spend 15 minutes with their son before he boarded a team bus for the stadium.
Once UW went into victory formation with 57 seconds left, Gaglianone motioned for his parents to come down to the edge of the seating section.
"I had to get a hug from them," the son said. "That's our moment. It's a once in a lifetime experience."
