We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.
No. 85 Mike Nugent
Our selection for No. 85 was one of easiest on our ballot. Mike Nugent, the most accurate kicker in Ohio State history is the best Buckeye to ever wear his number.
K Mike Nugent
2001-04
b. March 2, 1982 (Centerville, OH)
- National Champion (2002)
- Team Captain, MVP (2004)
- Lou Groza Winner (2004)
- OSU Career Points Leader
Nugent came to Ohio State in 2001, the same year Jim Tressel took the reigns in Columbus. After beating out Josh Huston for the kicking job his freshman season, Nugent helped Ohio State win a national title in 2002, leading the team in scoring (120 points) by converting on 25 of 28 field goal attempts and 45 of 46 extra points. For his efforts during the title season, Nugent was a runner-up for the Lou Groza Award, losing out to Iowa's Nate Kaeding.
In 2003, Nugent again led the Buckeyes in scoring, converting on 16 of 19 field goal attempts and converted on all 38 extra point attempts, finishing with 86 points.
Nugent's senior year wasn't as productive as his 2002 season, but it was perhaps more memorable. The Centerville, Ohio native tied the school record for the longest field goal in Ohio Stadium, nailing a 55-yard field goal to beat Marshall in the second game of the 2004 season. His four field goals and two extra points in the 2004 Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma State gave him the school record for points scored (356), passing Pete Johnson (348). He went on to win the Lou Groza Award as a senior before being drafted in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
Nugent is currently a free agent in the NFL after splitting time in 2017 between the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears. He spent the majority of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played seven seasons (2010-16).
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Photo: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics
