Logan » On Saturday, in a 23-21 win over Louisiana Tech, Chris Ulinski hit three field goals to lead Utah State to a win the Aggies absolutely had to have.

The kicks, two of them as clutch as can be, proved that potential could turn into production, no matter how long it took. They, along with the entire season, proved that persistence could pay off, and that good old-fashioned hard work brings about results.

"There was a time when I didn't know if football was going to work for me," Ulinski said. "I took it for what it was. I didn't know if I was good enough."

The fact that Ulinski is the everyday placekicker for Gary Andersen's squad is a monumental upset. He's a fifth-year senior, but this is his first as a starter, and his first on scholarship. It hasn't even been three months since his father, Michael, died unexpectedly from the H1N1 Flu in the first week of training camp.

Ulinski played exactly one year of high school football, and had no offers to go to the next level. He tried to walk on and kick for Nevada, but the Wolf Pack coaching staff told him he wasn't good enough.

Being rejected is a frustrating, and discouraging feeling, and it had an effect on Ulinski. So much so that he wasn't sure what his next athletic step would be. And with that, Ulinski joined the rugby team at Nevada.

Then his fortunes changed.

Left in a lurch, then-USU head coach Brent Guy needed a kicker on short notice. It was late in the recruiting season, but not too late to receive a suggestion from center Brennan McFadden, Ulinski's high school teammate and best friend.

"We really needed a kicker bad," McFadden said. "The coaches were kind of in a bind, so I recommended Chris. I called him, asked him if he still had his high school tapes and he sent them to coach Guy. They decided to bring him in."

Ulinski walked on. He made the team, and he was named the backup for two seasons.

The talent and the ability was evident. Ulinski's leg allowed him to kick field goals as deep as 56 yards with the adrenaline running through his veins. He was strong enough to regularly knock kickoffs into the end zone. Still, Ulinski didn't win the regular job until this season.

He won the job by kicking no less than 100 balls a day in the offseason. He kicked for power. He kicked for accuracy. He put himself through tough situations, and when the lights came on, he delivered.

"Chris was able to win it in camp," Andersen said. "We made it an open competition, we put the kickers in a lot of tough situations, and Chris came out the winner. You have to hand it to him. He's overcome a lot of obstacles, and that's to the young man's credit."

There was nothing that could prepare Ulinski for the death of his father, who was diagnosed with blood cancer 18 months ago but went into remission. The two shared a special bond growing up. As much as they were father and son, they were friends. The fact that Michael Ulinski was only 50 years old at the time of his death. The fact that he was so young was just another blow for Chris.

"He showed me nothing but support," Chris said. "He was always there for me, and he was always there for advice when I needed it. It was really a stressful time for me and my family. But I really needed to go out and prepare for the season. That's what he would've wanted me to do."

tjones@sltrib.com