Ficken, a former soccer player, was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, and attended Valparaiso High School, where he was named first-team Associated Press Class 5A all-state kicker. He also was a member of the all-area team. Ficken made 13 field goals during his senior year, including a school-record 52-yard kick. He also had 45 touchbacks on kickoffs.
College career
Ficken saw little action in 2011 behind veteran starting kicker, Anthony Fera. He hit an extra point after touchdown in the opener against Indiana State, as well as kicking off once. He missed his first collegiate field goal attempt in a game against Temple, but rebounded with a completed field goal against Eastern Michigan. Besides two more kickoffs, Ficken did not play for the remainder of the year. Ficken became the starting kicker in 2012. Ficken started the year off poorly, missing 7 of his first 11 field goals. However, after being mentored by starting Chicago Bears placekicker Robbie Gould, he finished the year by hitting ten straight successful field goals, putting him 14 for 21 on the year. Ficken also completed 39 of 41 extra-point attempts. He was named the Big Ten Special TeamsPlayer of the Week on November 26, 2012, after a 3 for 3 game against the Wisconsin Badgers, one of which was the game-winning kick in overtime. Ficken made 15 consecutive field goals from October 27, 2012 to September 14, 2013, breaking the Penn State record for consecutive field goals made. To start the 2014 season, Ficken kicked a last-second, game-winning field goal in the Croke Park Classic. During the Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College, Ficken tied the game with a 44-yard field goal and kicked the game-winning point after touchdown in overtime.
Professional career
After going undrafted during the 2015 NFL Draft, Ficken attended the Kansas City Chiefs minicamp in May 2015, but was not signed.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Ficken was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars on July 25, 2016. On August 29, 2016, he was waived by the Jaguars.
Kansas City Chiefs
On August 8, 2017, Ficken signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after an injury to Cairo Santos. He was waived on September 2, 2017.
Los Angeles Rams
On December 20, 2017, Ficken was signed by the Los Angeles Rams to replace injured Pro Bowl kicker Greg Zuerlein. On April 16, 2018, Ficken signed his exclusive rights tender, staying with the Rams. He was waived on August 31, 2018. Ficken was re-signed on September 17 following another injury to Greg Zuerlein. On September 23, Ficken made five PATs in a 35–23 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Ficken was released by the Rams on October 2, 2018 after just two games, in which he missed two of his three field goal attempts.
Seattle Seahawks
On January 11, 2019, Ficken signed a reserve/future contract with the Seattle Seahawks. He was waived on April 13, 2019.
Green Bay Packers
On April 15, 2019, Ficken was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers. On August 31, 2019, Ficken was waived by the Packers.
