Nugent is denied kick for record

He tied the school mark with five field goals, but didn't get to chance to break the record.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
RALEIGH, N.C. -- During the closing minutes of Saturday's game, it looked like Ohio State kicker Mike Nugent would get a chance to break the school record for most field goals in a game.
He said he wasn't worried about it. But his teammates were.
"A couple guys on the sidelines told me about it," said Nugent, who tied the school record with five. "But I don't care if I get one or nine in a game. I just wanted to get that last one because it would have put the game away."
Lydell Ross' late fumble cost Nugent the chance, but it didn't cost the Buckeyes the game. That, Nugent said, was the important thing.
"As long as we win, I'm happy," he said.
The only other Ohio State kicker to make five field goals in a game was Bob Atha, who went 5-for-5 in a game against Indiana in 1981. Nugent, a first-team All-American in 2002, has made 80 percent of his field goals (56-of-70) in his career -- the best mark in school history. He was shaky as a freshman, making just 7-of-14, but he's been almost perfect since.
Confident
"It's 100 percent mental," Nugent said of his success. "I haven't changed one thing physically since high school. I'm just kicking with a lot of confidence right now."
Nugent won last week's game against Marshall with a 55-yard field goal as time expired. His first kick on Saturday was from 50 yards out.
Did his confidence carry over?
"I think so," Nugent said. "Once you make a kick like that, you feel like you can make every kick."
It also gives Ohio State's offense a lot of confidence. One of the reasons Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel was able to play conservatively on Saturday was because he knew Nugent would make his kicks. He's also outstanding on kickoffs, getting touchbacks on six of his seven kicks.
"He's so accurate from so far that it makes it where you don't have to stretch for it," Tressel said. "He believes he can make those kicks and he does.
"He's a good kid, the best [kicker] in college football."
Front-runner for award
Hard to argue. Nugent, a four-year letter-winner, was a finalist for the Lou Groza award two years ago and is a front-runner for the award this year. He's already set 12 Ohio State records and has a chance to break the school's scoring record of 348 points, held by fullback Pete Johnson (1973-76). Nugent has 285 with eight regular season games remaining.
"It's huge [to have him] because anytime you're inside the 35-yard line, you know he's going to put it through the uprights," said quarterback Justin Zwick. "When it's third down, I know I don't necessarily have to go out there and make a play."
Nugent has made 8-of-9 this year, but knows bad weather is ahead. Because of Hurricane Ivan, North Carolina State's field was wetter than usual this weekend. But Nugent had no problem kicking.
"It's good that we faced that," he said. "You hope it won't happen, but now we know we'll be ready."
scalzo@vindy.com