Nate Kaeding began the 2002 season by making 19 field goals in a row, and finished off his Lou Groza Award-winning campaign by making 21 field goals on 24 attempts. Kaeding set a new Iowa record by converting on 57 extra points, besting the old mark by six, and his 120 total points is the most ever in a single season in the extensive history of the Big Ten Conference for a kicker. The model of consistency, Kaeding made two or more field goals in seven of the Hawkeye’s 13 games. He also put on display his ability to connect on kicks from long-range – Kaeding made eight field goals from at least 40 yards away, three of which were from more than 50 yards out.

Sebastian Janikowski became the first two-time winner of the Lou Groza Award in 1999. Janikowski was successful on 23 of 30 field goal attempts and was perfect on 47 extra points tries, leading his Florida State Seminoles to the National Championship. He booted five field goals in a game against North Carolina State and hit the game-winner against Clemson in a 17-14 victory. After the season, Janikowski decided to forego his senior year of eligibility and entered the NFL Draft, where the Oakland Raiders took him with the 17th pick of the first round of the 2000 Draft. He ended his career in Tallahassee as the third-leading scorer in FSU history with 324 points.