-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
LGHL You’re Nuts: Behind Enemy Lines - Potential trap games for Ohio State
- News
- 0 Replies
You’re Nuts: Behind Enemy Lines - Potential trap games for Ohio State
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Which under-the-radar opponent could test the Buckeyes?
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State’s opponents. From looking at the Big Ten Conference to individual opponents, to specific players, we will bring it all to you. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Behind Enemy Lines” articles here.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Like Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman (still kickin’ at 94), LGHL is going Behind Enemy Lines this week, looking at and breaking down Ohio State’s 2024 opponents. And although I do not share a namesake with either of the actors above – like my esteemed colleague and YN writing partner – I, too, have been known to ignore workplace politics and policy for the sole purpose of saving a fallen soldier...
Alright, I tried to make something work there but one can only do so much with a slightly above-average action movie from two plus decades ago. That being said, it would be fantastic if I found out via my partner’s response that he was indeed named after the man who portrayed Norman Dale in “Hoosiers”.
Getting back to the important stuff, Gene (Ross) and I decided to look at/for teams that could realistically give OSU a scare or a dangerously close game this season. But not in the way that Oregon or Michigan might (and probably will) challenge the Buckeyes. No, we’re talking specifically about trap games. Games – and teams – that might challenge Ohio State unexpectedly.
Always the contrarian/wild card, I’ll say the one that jumps out to me is Michigan State on Sept. 28... Seriously! But not because the overall roster got markedly better. Or because East Lansing is a treacherous place to play. Instead, MSU strikes me as a potential trap game because of the timing and “non-Shoe” venue, as well as the presence of Jonathan Smith and Aidan Chiles, both transplants from Oregon State.
The game at Michigan State will be Ohio State’s first roadie of the season, which in and of itself is not a huge deal. However, OSU’s next two games after the trip to East Lansing are against Iowa and at Oregon. So would we be shocked if the Buckeyes get caught looking ahead just a bit? Not only that, but they (the Buckeyes) do not have a marquee non-con matchup this season, meaning MSU will actually be a big step up in competition for Ryan Day’s squad.
Now let’s give Day the benefit of the doubt and say/assume that Ohio State will be dialed on for Sparty. The other part(s) of the equation is Smith and Chiles. The former guided Oregon State to 18 wins in his last two seasons as the Beavers’ head coach, while the latter was a top-60 player in the 2023 recruiting class before becoming one of the most coveted quarterbacks in this past offseason’s transfer portal.
Do those two (alone) make Michigan State a top-10 team? No, not a chance. But they do comprise what is likely the best coach-QB duo MSU has had since Mark Dantonio and Kirk Cousins.
Look, I’m not trying to say that Ohio State and Michigan State should be a pick ‘em come late September. But Smith, Chiles, and the Spartans are likely going to be a team on the ris. As opposed to the steep decline we’ve seen recently. And that first conference roadie can be tricky. So circle the game in East Lansing and keep an eye on Sparty. Because MSU could present a bigger challenge than it has for several years.
Like Josh, I have my eye on an early-season contest that could present a challenge for the Buckeyes. I do agree that Michigan State might be an early test, as the Spartans should be much improved under Jonathan Smith. As my partner laid out, it will also be a step-up in competition, as the non-conference trio of Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall will be quite a bit easier than the matchup in East Lansing — even if Michigan State isn’t a team many expect to challenge for a Big Ten title or anything like that.
However, the game I want to take a look at is actually the following week at home, where Ohio State will host Iowa.
This game being in Columbus doesn’t make it nearly as scary as it would be at Kinnick, but with Oregon on the schedule the following week, this matchup has big time ‘look-ahead’ potential for the Buckeyes. Add in the fact that the Hawkeyes routinely field one of the best defenses in the country, and a few lapses in focus could put Ryan Day’s group behind the eight ball against an Iowa team they otherwise should beat rather handily.
Offensively, Iowa has finally rid itself of nepotism posterchild Brian Ferentz at offensive coordinator, replacing him with Western Michigan’s Tim Lester. At quarterback, the team brought in Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan to compete with Cade McNamara, who missed most of last season with an injury. Luke Lachey returns at tight end and the offensive line will be solid, but as usual there aren’t a ton of explosive weapons at wide receiver or running back that really scare you.
Defensively is obviously where this team makes its hay, and Phil Parker will look to continue his immense success running the group this season. The Hawkeyes return Big Ten tackles leader Jay Higgins at linebacker, and while they lose star corner Cooper DeJean to the NFL, the back end of the defense will once again be strong, headed by Sebastian Castro, who led the team in interceptions last year, and former five-star safety Xavier Nwankpa. Up front, Yahya Black and Aaron Graves present a strong tackle duo, and the defensive end room as a bunch of solid depth.
Ohio State should have the offensive firepower to overcome even an Iowa defense that will likely once again rank near the top of the country, and the Silver Bullets shouldn’t have much of a problem keeping the Hawkeyes out of the end zone. However, with it being the team’s second Big Ten matchup of the year with Oregon looming, all it would take is a lack of focus to find yourself in trouble. A few early turnovers could have the Buckeyes playing from behind, and that isn’t how you want to situate yourself against Iowa.
This could very well be a game where Ohio State jumps out to an early lead and never looks back, much like it did in the 54-10 win last time these two teams met in 2022. However, the Hawkeyes are an opponent that you cannot afford to overlook before the big road trip to Eugene.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Which under-the-radar opponent could test the Buckeyes?
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State’s opponents. From looking at the Big Ten Conference to individual opponents, to specific players, we will bring it all to you. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Behind Enemy Lines” articles here.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week’s topic: Potential trap games for Ohio State
Josh’s Take
Like Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman (still kickin’ at 94), LGHL is going Behind Enemy Lines this week, looking at and breaking down Ohio State’s 2024 opponents. And although I do not share a namesake with either of the actors above – like my esteemed colleague and YN writing partner – I, too, have been known to ignore workplace politics and policy for the sole purpose of saving a fallen soldier...
Alright, I tried to make something work there but one can only do so much with a slightly above-average action movie from two plus decades ago. That being said, it would be fantastic if I found out via my partner’s response that he was indeed named after the man who portrayed Norman Dale in “Hoosiers”.
Getting back to the important stuff, Gene (Ross) and I decided to look at/for teams that could realistically give OSU a scare or a dangerously close game this season. But not in the way that Oregon or Michigan might (and probably will) challenge the Buckeyes. No, we’re talking specifically about trap games. Games – and teams – that might challenge Ohio State unexpectedly.
Always the contrarian/wild card, I’ll say the one that jumps out to me is Michigan State on Sept. 28... Seriously! But not because the overall roster got markedly better. Or because East Lansing is a treacherous place to play. Instead, MSU strikes me as a potential trap game because of the timing and “non-Shoe” venue, as well as the presence of Jonathan Smith and Aidan Chiles, both transplants from Oregon State.
The game at Michigan State will be Ohio State’s first roadie of the season, which in and of itself is not a huge deal. However, OSU’s next two games after the trip to East Lansing are against Iowa and at Oregon. So would we be shocked if the Buckeyes get caught looking ahead just a bit? Not only that, but they (the Buckeyes) do not have a marquee non-con matchup this season, meaning MSU will actually be a big step up in competition for Ryan Day’s squad.
Now let’s give Day the benefit of the doubt and say/assume that Ohio State will be dialed on for Sparty. The other part(s) of the equation is Smith and Chiles. The former guided Oregon State to 18 wins in his last two seasons as the Beavers’ head coach, while the latter was a top-60 player in the 2023 recruiting class before becoming one of the most coveted quarterbacks in this past offseason’s transfer portal.
Do those two (alone) make Michigan State a top-10 team? No, not a chance. But they do comprise what is likely the best coach-QB duo MSU has had since Mark Dantonio and Kirk Cousins.
Look, I’m not trying to say that Ohio State and Michigan State should be a pick ‘em come late September. But Smith, Chiles, and the Spartans are likely going to be a team on the ris. As opposed to the steep decline we’ve seen recently. And that first conference roadie can be tricky. So circle the game in East Lansing and keep an eye on Sparty. Because MSU could present a bigger challenge than it has for several years.
Gene’s Take
Like Josh, I have my eye on an early-season contest that could present a challenge for the Buckeyes. I do agree that Michigan State might be an early test, as the Spartans should be much improved under Jonathan Smith. As my partner laid out, it will also be a step-up in competition, as the non-conference trio of Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall will be quite a bit easier than the matchup in East Lansing — even if Michigan State isn’t a team many expect to challenge for a Big Ten title or anything like that.
However, the game I want to take a look at is actually the following week at home, where Ohio State will host Iowa.
This game being in Columbus doesn’t make it nearly as scary as it would be at Kinnick, but with Oregon on the schedule the following week, this matchup has big time ‘look-ahead’ potential for the Buckeyes. Add in the fact that the Hawkeyes routinely field one of the best defenses in the country, and a few lapses in focus could put Ryan Day’s group behind the eight ball against an Iowa team they otherwise should beat rather handily.
Offensively, Iowa has finally rid itself of nepotism posterchild Brian Ferentz at offensive coordinator, replacing him with Western Michigan’s Tim Lester. At quarterback, the team brought in Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan to compete with Cade McNamara, who missed most of last season with an injury. Luke Lachey returns at tight end and the offensive line will be solid, but as usual there aren’t a ton of explosive weapons at wide receiver or running back that really scare you.
Defensively is obviously where this team makes its hay, and Phil Parker will look to continue his immense success running the group this season. The Hawkeyes return Big Ten tackles leader Jay Higgins at linebacker, and while they lose star corner Cooper DeJean to the NFL, the back end of the defense will once again be strong, headed by Sebastian Castro, who led the team in interceptions last year, and former five-star safety Xavier Nwankpa. Up front, Yahya Black and Aaron Graves present a strong tackle duo, and the defensive end room as a bunch of solid depth.
Ohio State should have the offensive firepower to overcome even an Iowa defense that will likely once again rank near the top of the country, and the Silver Bullets shouldn’t have much of a problem keeping the Hawkeyes out of the end zone. However, with it being the team’s second Big Ten matchup of the year with Oregon looming, all it would take is a lack of focus to find yourself in trouble. A few early turnovers could have the Buckeyes playing from behind, and that isn’t how you want to situate yourself against Iowa.
This could very well be a game where Ohio State jumps out to an early lead and never looks back, much like it did in the 54-10 win last time these two teams met in 2022. However, the Hawkeyes are an opponent that you cannot afford to overlook before the big road trip to Eugene.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State’s TC Caffey out with knee injury; Egbuka, Sawyer, Burke at B1G Media Days
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State’s TC Caffey out with knee injury; Egbuka, Sawyer, Burke at B1G Media Days
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Ohio State Running Back TC Caffey Sidelined by Knee Injury
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Egbuka, Sawyer & Burke Will Represent Ohio State at Big Ten Media Days
Ohio State Athletics
I can live with this:
Ohio State Players Seeing “Championship or Bust” Urgency, “Incredible” Leadership in Summer Workouts
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Mike Nugent is undoubtedly the best kicker in Ohio State history
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
You’re Nuts: What is the most heroic performance you’ve seen from a Buckeye?
Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Looking forward to being a lifelong Jeremiah Smith fan:
What superhero would make the best addition to Ohio State’s football roster?
Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land
Who is on Ohio State men’s basketball’s Mount Rushmore?
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Versatile Evan Mahaffey feels home at Ohio State as role changes
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Duane Washington Jr. looking good in the NBA Summer League:
Meechie Johnson, Bruce Thornton believe they can form ‘one of the best backcourts in the country’ this season
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Celeste Taylor signs seven-day contract with Phoenix Mercury
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
You’re Nuts: Is it time to be done with “Crystal Balls” in recruiting?
Connor Lemons and Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
24 Buckeyes will compete in 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris | Kyle Snyder leads the charge
Dave Biddle, Bucknuts
Who are the 10 best Olympians associated with central Ohio?
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Yeah, this looks pretty great:
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Ohio State Running Back TC Caffey Sidelined by Knee Injury
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Egbuka, Sawyer & Burke Will Represent Ohio State at Big Ten Media Days
Ohio State Athletics
I can live with this:
Ohio State Players Seeing “Championship or Bust” Urgency, “Incredible” Leadership in Summer Workouts
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Mike Nugent is undoubtedly the best kicker in Ohio State history
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
You’re Nuts: What is the most heroic performance you’ve seen from a Buckeye?
Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Looking forward to being a lifelong Jeremiah Smith fan:
Jeremiah Smith is obviously a great football player, but also a great kid
Before even playing a snap at OSU he gave back to his community pic.twitter.com/bZPZPhaNO1
— BuckeyeM️B (@Buckeye_Mob) July 14, 2024
What superhero would make the best addition to Ohio State’s football roster?
Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Who is on Ohio State men’s basketball’s Mount Rushmore?
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Versatile Evan Mahaffey feels home at Ohio State as role changes
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Duane Washington Jr. looking good in the NBA Summer League:
Meechie Johnson, Bruce Thornton believe they can form ‘one of the best backcourts in the country’ this season
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Celeste Taylor signs seven-day contract with Phoenix Mercury
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
You’re Nuts: Is it time to be done with “Crystal Balls” in recruiting?
Connor Lemons and Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Outside the Shoe and Schott
24 Buckeyes will compete in 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris | Kyle Snyder leads the charge
Dave Biddle, Bucknuts
Who are the 10 best Olympians associated with central Ohio?
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
And now for something completely different...
Yeah, this looks pretty great:
Continue reading...
LGHL Buckeye Heroes: Mike Nugent is undoubtedly the best kicker in Ohio State history
- News
- 0 Replies
Buckeye Heroes: Mike Nugent is undoubtedly the best kicker in Ohio State history
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images
The 2004 Lou Groza Award winner holds most of the school’s kicking records.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State heroes. Whether they are the biggest names in Buckeye athletic history, or underappreciated icons; perhaps even players who made major impacts off the field. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Buckeye Heroes” articles here.
There are so many challenges college football coaches have to deal with on and off the field. One of those on the field challenges is finding a reliable place kicker.
Even if you think you have a kicker who is nearly automatic, it seems to never fail that they end up missing when the game is on the line. Just look at Noah Ruggles in the 2022 season, where he was 17-19 before missing a really tough 50-yard field goal with the Buckeyes trailing Georgia by a point late in the fourth quarter.
When it comes to the most reliable kicker in Ohio State history, there is no doubt who has earned that title. Aside from career and single season field goal percentage, which are both held by Ruggles, Mike Nugent holds pretty much every other Ohio State kicking record. Nugent came to Ohio State from Centerville, where he was a teammate of linebacker A.J. Hawk.
Heading into the 2001 season, not only was Jim Tressel trying to find his footing as he transitioned from Youngstown State to Ohio State, the Buckeyes were looking for a new kicker. Mike Nugent and Josh Huston battled it out for the starting position, with Nugent eventually winning the job.
The first year for Nugent wasn’t anything special statistically, as he was 7-14 in field goals and 23-25 on extra points. Luckily for Nugent, Tressel had some patience with the kicker since not only was Nugent a freshman, the Buckeyes were just 7-5 in Tressel’s first season in Columbus.
The 2002 season is where Nugent started to break out and assert himself as one of the top kickers in the country. Not only did Nugent hit 25 of his 28 field goal attempts, he hit all but one of his 46 extra point attempts. Nugent finished the season with 120 total points on an Ohio State team that went on to upset Miami in the BCS National Championship Game.
Along with being a national champion, Nugent was a consensus All-American and named second-team All-Big Ten.
Even though Ohio State wasn’t able to repeat as national champions in 2003, Nugent still put together a strong season for the Buckeyes. Much like his sophomore season, Nugent only missed three of his field goal attempts as a junior, and it marked the first season where he hit all of his extra point attempts.
Overall, the Buckeye offense struggled at times to put points on the scoreboard since they were trying to replace running back Maurice Clarett, but Nugent took care of his business when his number was called. For the second year in a row Nugent was named second-team All-Big Ten.
While Nugent’s senior season wasn’t statistically his best, it certainly was his most memorable in the scarlet and gray. In his final season in Columbus, Nugent was 24-27 on field goal attempts and he hit all 30 of his extra point attempts to finish with 102 points.
What made the season more impressive for Nugent is he hit an incredible 55-yard field goal at the end of regulation to beat Marshall 24-21 in Ohio State’s second game of the season, and the next week he followed it up with five field goals in a 22-14 win at North Carolina State. The five field goals in a game tied Bob Atha’s school single-game record, and was later matched by Josh Huston and Devin Barclay.
Nugent’s spectacular senior season earned him unanimous All-American honors, a first-team All-Big Ten spot, and the prestigious Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best college placekicker. Along with all those accolades, Nugent became the first kicker in school history to be named the team’s MVP. Had it not been for Nugent, the Buckeyes definitely wouldn’t have earned a spot in the BCS, where they went on to defeat Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25529644/53359451.jpg "MasterCard Alamo Bowl")
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Nugent was so impressive during his college career that the New York Jets drafted him with the 47th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Most teams opt to pick up their placekickers either in the latter rounds of the draft or in free agency, making it rare for kickers to be selected in the first two rounds of the draft. Since 2000, only Sebastian Janikowski has been selected higher in the draft than Nugent.
Following four seasons with the Jets to start his NFL career, Nugent bounced around to a couple teams before finding success back in Ohio with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent seven years. The final stop in Nugent’s NFL career was in Arizona, where he would appear in four games for the Cardinals in 2020.
Nugent finished his NFL career by making 265 of his 327 field goal attempts, amassing 1,180 career points. Not only did Nugent have six seasons of at least 100 points, he racked up 132 points for the Bengals in 2011.
Even before his NFL career was over, Nugent was inducted into the Ohio State University Athletic Hall of Fame in September 2019. The Centerville product still holds school records for most field goals made in a career, most field goals made in a season, and is tied for most field goals made in a game. Nugent also has the second-highest career field goal percentage, and three of the top-nine single-season field goal percentages, including the third and fourth-best single-season percentages.
These days with analytics, coaches seem to be relying on kickers less, opting instead to leave the offenses out on the field more. Ryan Day’s thought process might change a bit if he had a kicker like Mike Nugent at his disposal. If there is going to be a kicker to oust Nugent from the throne as the best kicker in school history, they’ll have to put together an incredible career since Nugent is the most decorated Buckeye kicker by a wide margin.
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images
The 2004 Lou Groza Award winner holds most of the school’s kicking records.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State heroes. Whether they are the biggest names in Buckeye athletic history, or underappreciated icons; perhaps even players who made major impacts off the field. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Buckeye Heroes” articles here.
There are so many challenges college football coaches have to deal with on and off the field. One of those on the field challenges is finding a reliable place kicker.
Even if you think you have a kicker who is nearly automatic, it seems to never fail that they end up missing when the game is on the line. Just look at Noah Ruggles in the 2022 season, where he was 17-19 before missing a really tough 50-yard field goal with the Buckeyes trailing Georgia by a point late in the fourth quarter.
When it comes to the most reliable kicker in Ohio State history, there is no doubt who has earned that title. Aside from career and single season field goal percentage, which are both held by Ruggles, Mike Nugent holds pretty much every other Ohio State kicking record. Nugent came to Ohio State from Centerville, where he was a teammate of linebacker A.J. Hawk.
Heading into the 2001 season, not only was Jim Tressel trying to find his footing as he transitioned from Youngstown State to Ohio State, the Buckeyes were looking for a new kicker. Mike Nugent and Josh Huston battled it out for the starting position, with Nugent eventually winning the job.
The first year for Nugent wasn’t anything special statistically, as he was 7-14 in field goals and 23-25 on extra points. Luckily for Nugent, Tressel had some patience with the kicker since not only was Nugent a freshman, the Buckeyes were just 7-5 in Tressel’s first season in Columbus.
The 2002 season is where Nugent started to break out and assert himself as one of the top kickers in the country. Not only did Nugent hit 25 of his 28 field goal attempts, he hit all but one of his 46 extra point attempts. Nugent finished the season with 120 total points on an Ohio State team that went on to upset Miami in the BCS National Championship Game.
Along with being a national champion, Nugent was a consensus All-American and named second-team All-Big Ten.
Even though Ohio State wasn’t able to repeat as national champions in 2003, Nugent still put together a strong season for the Buckeyes. Much like his sophomore season, Nugent only missed three of his field goal attempts as a junior, and it marked the first season where he hit all of his extra point attempts.
Overall, the Buckeye offense struggled at times to put points on the scoreboard since they were trying to replace running back Maurice Clarett, but Nugent took care of his business when his number was called. For the second year in a row Nugent was named second-team All-Big Ten.
While Nugent’s senior season wasn’t statistically his best, it certainly was his most memorable in the scarlet and gray. In his final season in Columbus, Nugent was 24-27 on field goal attempts and he hit all 30 of his extra point attempts to finish with 102 points.
What made the season more impressive for Nugent is he hit an incredible 55-yard field goal at the end of regulation to beat Marshall 24-21 in Ohio State’s second game of the season, and the next week he followed it up with five field goals in a 22-14 win at North Carolina State. The five field goals in a game tied Bob Atha’s school single-game record, and was later matched by Josh Huston and Devin Barclay.
Nugent’s spectacular senior season earned him unanimous All-American honors, a first-team All-Big Ten spot, and the prestigious Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best college placekicker. Along with all those accolades, Nugent became the first kicker in school history to be named the team’s MVP. Had it not been for Nugent, the Buckeyes definitely wouldn’t have earned a spot in the BCS, where they went on to defeat Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Nugent was so impressive during his college career that the New York Jets drafted him with the 47th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Most teams opt to pick up their placekickers either in the latter rounds of the draft or in free agency, making it rare for kickers to be selected in the first two rounds of the draft. Since 2000, only Sebastian Janikowski has been selected higher in the draft than Nugent.
Following four seasons with the Jets to start his NFL career, Nugent bounced around to a couple teams before finding success back in Ohio with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent seven years. The final stop in Nugent’s NFL career was in Arizona, where he would appear in four games for the Cardinals in 2020.
Nugent finished his NFL career by making 265 of his 327 field goal attempts, amassing 1,180 career points. Not only did Nugent have six seasons of at least 100 points, he racked up 132 points for the Bengals in 2011.
Even before his NFL career was over, Nugent was inducted into the Ohio State University Athletic Hall of Fame in September 2019. The Centerville product still holds school records for most field goals made in a career, most field goals made in a season, and is tied for most field goals made in a game. Nugent also has the second-highest career field goal percentage, and three of the top-nine single-season field goal percentages, including the third and fourth-best single-season percentages.
These days with analytics, coaches seem to be relying on kickers less, opting instead to leave the offenses out on the field more. Ryan Day’s thought process might change a bit if he had a kicker like Mike Nugent at his disposal. If there is going to be a kicker to oust Nugent from the throne as the best kicker in school history, they’ll have to put together an incredible career since Nugent is the most decorated Buckeye kicker by a wide margin.
Continue reading...
