The derisive #collegekickers does not apply to Zane Gonzalez of Arizona State.
Gonzalez is the best kicker in college football, and it isnโt even close.
Entering Friday nightโs Territorial Cup against Arizona, Gonzalez had made 7 of 8 field-goal attempts from 50 or more yards. The other 19 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award had combined to make only 11 field goals from that range. (Gonzalez is one of three finalists for the Groza.)
When ASU beat UTSA this season, Gonzalez made four field goals, including two 54-yarders. He was a perfect 3 of 3 in ASUโs 51-41 victory over Cal and 3 of 3 in its 23-20 triumph over UCLA, including a 46-yarder that ended up providing the winning points.
Here are some additional fun facts about the senior from Deer Park, Texas, courtesy of the ASU media relations staff:
- Gonzales is 23 of 24 this season. His lone miss came on a 53-yard attempt against UTSA, and his 95.8 percent success rate ranks first in the FBS.
- Gonzalez has made 17 consecutive field goals, the longest active streak in the country and tying his own school record.
- Gonzalez has made 13 of 14 attempts from 40-plus yards, and his average make on the year is 40.9 yards.
- Gonzalez is the FBS record holder for most career field goals (96) and points by a kicker (489).
- Gonzalez leads the nation with seven 50-plus-yard field goals. The FBS record for a season is eight. No other player has more than three.
- Gonzalez had three 50-plus-yarders against Colorado, including a school-record 59-yarder that is the longest kick in the FBS this season.
- Gonzalez has made four or more field goals in a game six times in his career, tying three other players for the most in FBS history.
- Fifty-six of Gonzalezโs 74 kickoffs have gone for touchbacks, while only 16 have been returned.
- Gonzalez led the nation with a 75 percent touchback rate last season.
