If you have an impression of football kickers keeping quiet and to themselves, then Nebraska kicker Josh Brown might shake that image just a bit.

"I tend to get a little crazy sometimes."

Brown subscribes more to the theory that, when the ball is set for the opening kickoff, he's ready to make some noise along with the crowd.

"The music's pumping, the adrenaline flowing and all you've got to do is kick it really hard." Brown said. "There's no reason you can't be as hyped as any lineman or any linebacker or anybody else out there. I think kickoff time is the time to get crazy. and kick the ball as far and high as you can."

As a redshirt freshman last year, Brown did a lot of kicking the ball high and long. Brown nailed 14-of-20 field goals and 46-of-47 extra points, scoring 88 points to rank second on the team behind quarterback Eric Crouch and eighth in the Big 12.

While most kickers would be satisfied with kicking the ball into the stands, Brown's "enthusiasm" doesn't end when his toe meets the leather. Brown says he also harbors a more physical fantasy when the receiver catches his kick.

"It would be a great honor to put (a ball carrier) on their rear and just smack somebody. I think that would be a great thing."

Brown stepped in last season in the shoes of Husker record setting kicker Kris Brown and showed he had the ability to back up his enthusiasm. He is currently riding a string of 39 straight successful extra point kicks. A streak that began after he missed his very first career PAT attempt against Southern Mississippi. During the streak he hit on a career seven PAT’s in a single game against Iowa State.

Brown has been almost as solid in his field goal kicking, connecting on nine of his last 10 field goal attempts. He had made nine of his eleven attempts from 30-39 yards out and 4 of 5 in field goals from 20-29 yards. He hit a career-long 42-yard field goal against Texas in the Big 12 Championship game.

At Foyil (Oklahoma) High School, Brown added running back and safety duties to his kicking chores. His experiences at the other positions led him to consider additional ball catching duties at Nebraska. Brown spent some time working out with the receivers as a wingback during spring practice and continues to do so in the fall. Brown insists, however, that he will concentrate solely on kicking this year and has no plans to show up as a receiver during Husker games.

"I don’t see it happening unless I totally switch positions. That's something I don't want to do." Brown says "I’m working with the receivers just during two-a-days (practices), to give them a breather. Then I’m going to concentrate on having another great season kicking."

Brown will see some extra duties when the season opens. Starting punter Dan Hadenfeldt will be serving a one-game suspension during the season opening game against San Jose State, meaning Brown will be handling the punting duties as well.

"I've been practicing a lot more on my punting, because I have to be ready for that game." Brown said. "Dan's been helping me out a lot and giving me guidance."

The Huskers' depth in the kicking game is one reason the team has high expectations for the upcoming season. Brown and Hadenfeldt will back each other up at place kicker and punter, respectively. Hadenfeldt is returning for his fifth year as a Husker. Senior Chace Long and freshman Sandro DeAngelis stands in the wings if needed.

Along with the team's high expectations, Brown says he has some high goals as well.

"I want to be the first kicker in Nebraska history to go 100 percent (on field goals) throughout a season." Brown says. "It’s a really high goal, but it’s something that I think I can accomplish."