Rothe, a junior from Longmont, Colorado, ranks second in the nation in field goal accuracy among qualified FBS kickers, going 15-for-16 thus far. Included in that total is a 51 yarder, making him one of only two kickers in the nation to make a long-distance field goal while still connecting at better than 90% on total attempts. Among FBS kickers who qualified for accuracy leaderboards in each of the last two seasons, his combined 88.2% field goal conversion rate is second in the nation.

Mike Nugent converted 20 of 23 field goal attempts during the 2004 season (one was blocked) and led the nation in 50-yard field goals with five. In the win over Marshall, his 55-yarder as time ran out provided OSU with a 24-21 win. In a 22-14 victory at North Carolina State, he tied a school record with five field goals. He was also a perfect 27-of-27 in the point after touchdown (PAT) department and had 34 touchbacks on 55 kickoffs. The Lou Groza Award is the 30th major individual award won by an Ohio State player.