Matt Gay was the nation’s leading field goal kicker in the 2017 season. Connecting on 27 of his 31 attempts, the junior set a new Utah single-season record and finished the year with three more makes than any other kicker in the country. But his season was about much more than just that one number. The 27 makes included five field goals from at least 50 yards out, tied for the most in the nation. Those long distance kicks included not one but two connections from 56 yards out, tied for the longest field goals by regular FBS kickers that year. Against San Jose State, he connected from 56 and 50 in the same game, along with two more field goals and six PATs for an 18-point performance. His other 4-for-4 field goal game was even more important, as he provided nearly all the scoring against rival BYU in a 19-13 Holy War victory. In all, he made multiple field goals in nine games, racking up seven games with double-digit points. His 118 points are the third-most by a kicker in the 2017 season, and he’s the only kicker in the top fifteen with fewer than 40 extra point attempts.

Zane Gonzalez finished his four-year career as the all-time FBS leader in both field goals and points by a kicker. In 2016, his 23-for-24 season led the nation in both number and accuracy of field goals. Those kicks came from an average of 40.9 yards away, hitting a national-best 13 from at least 40 yards and a remarkable 7-for-8 from over 50. That mark, the second-most ever from long distance in an FBS season, including the longest field goal of the year, a 59-yarder that was also the kick to give him the all-time record for career points by a kicker. That game against Colorado stands as one of the most impressive ever, as all three of his kicks came from beyond 50 yards, tying the FBS mark for most long-distance kicks in one game. Only three other kickers in 2016 have as many 50-yard field goals all season as he hit in that one game.