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.

Tracy, a senior from Camarillo, California, ranks third in FBS with 22 made field goals, part of a 22-for-25 campaign that ranks 7^th in accuracy among kickers with more than a dozen attempts. Two of his three misses came on 53-yard attempts, both shorter than the 54 yarder he made as part of a 4-for-4 FBS debut, after setting the Division II record for points-per-game by a kicker last season. He made the first final-play, game-winning kick in LSU history, knocking home a 42 yarder on the road against Auburn for a 22-21 victory.