After the Flashes scored their first touchdown in the opening quarter of their game against Rutgers University, senior kicker Freddy Cortez lined up in a familiar spot. The holder kneeled down seven yards behind the line of scrimmage, and Cortez stood a couple yards behind at a slight angle.

The ball was snapped, the holder lined the ball upright, and Cortez booted it straight down the middle of the goal posts — just like he had done many times before.

While a kick like this has become a normal sight for Kent State football fans, this particular extra point had more significance than perhaps any previous kick in Cortez’ career. The kick gave Cortez his 247th career point as a member of the Flashes, which moved him past Josh Cribbs on the team’s all-time scoring list. With a seemingly routine play, Cortez cemented his place in Kent State history.

“It’s definitely an honor to be up there with his name,” Cortez said. “Especially being who he is and the kind of player he is. He meant a lot to this program. At the same time, I feel very happy and humbled for what I achieved with that goal. It’s took four long years to get there.”

Cortez said he had battled through everything that has happened to him, good and bad, over the last four seasons with the Flashes, and it is all culminating into the team’s historic 2012 season.

“I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs,” Cortez said. “Right now we’re on a good up. So for that to happen at the same time that the season is going the way it is, it’s just that much better for me and my family.”

He attended Fort Meade High School in Fort Meade, Fla., where he was the starting kicker and punter for three years before committing to Kent State in 2009. The move took a toll on Cortez, as it was the first time in his life he had to be away from his family for a long period of time.

Cortez said these last four years have produced countless great moments and memories that have defined him as a player and as a person.

“I’ve got memories here that I’m going to keep for the rest of my life,” Cortez said. “From hitting my very first field goal from 34 yards out against Miami in the rain, to hitting the last one from last year against Temple from 28 yards.”

Cortez has made major impacts on the people around him as well. Head coach Darrell Hazell said Cortez has come up big for the Flashes in many different situations.

“Freddy’s a spectacular kicker,” Hazell said. “He’s done a great job making big kicks for us. He’s very clutch, and it all starts with his work ethic.”

Sophomore wide receiver Chris Humphrey acts as holder for all of Cortez’s field goals and extra points, and he said from his experience he knows Cortez isn’t the kind of guy who focuses strictly on records.

“He’s not always talking about it or worried about it,” Humphrey said. “He has one focus just like everyone else does, and that’s to win a MAC Championship. He just comes out every day like it’s a regular day and does his thing.”

Humphrey said Cortez’s vibrant personality and focused demeanor helps the team stay calm and keeps the players on track.

“Off the field, he’s a great guy to be around, and on the field, he’s a mentor,” Humphrey said. “Once he steps onto the field, it’s all business. But he know how to lighten the mood and when it’s the right time to.”

After college, Cortez plans to return to his family and make up for four years of lost time. When he walks off the field for the final time, he said he hopes he leaves a legacy behind him.

“For me, I want to be known as the best kicker to ever come through Kent State,” Cortez said. “And I hope I leave that mark on people, on the fans and on my coaches.”

Contact Tim Dorst at [email protected].