Google searches for “Nolan Hauser” remained relatively flat for most of 2024 until that fateful moment when he lined up for a 56-yard field goal. This single event sent shockwaves through the college football world.

The Impact of College Football Kickers on Postseason Success

Ashton Jeanty and Dalmas: The Battle-Tested Kickers

Everybody knows about Ashton Jeanty, but fewer people know about Dalmas. Dalmas has attempted only 16 field goals this year. If not for Jeanty and his 29 touchdowns, Dalmas might have broken the NCAA career scoring record. He's 93-for-106 on field goal attempts in his career, putting him four makes shy of the record. Dalmas is a fifth-year senior and has attempted at least 27 field goals in each of the previous three years, connecting on nearly 90 percent with a long of 56 last season. He's 13-for-16 this year, showing his consistency and battle-tested skills.

Rogers: The Trusted Long-Range Kicker

The leading scorer in SMU history isn't Eric Dickerson or Doak Walker. It's Rogers, who broke the school's career scoring record earlier this season. He's made 15 kicks from 40-plus this year and is tied with Michigan's Dominic Zvada for the most field goals from 50 yards or longer. Rogers has seven makes in 11 attempts from 50-plus. Consistency was an issue earlier in his career, but SMU knows he has the leg to make long field goals and isn't afraid to call his number.

Nolan Hauser: The ACC Championship Game Hero

Prior to his winning kick in the ACC Championship Game, Hauser was 2-for-5 on field goal attempts from 40-plus. When offensive line coach Matt Luke asked Dabo Swinney if Hauser had the leg to make a 56-yarder, Swinney's response was, "We're about to find out." The Tigers learned that no moment is too big for their freshman kicker. Hauser is 17-for-23 this season, and most of those makes were from inside 35 yards. If Clemson's season comes down to another kick from Hauser, at least people will know his name.

Bert Auburn: The Crime Noir Kicker

Bert Auburn has some of the best hair in the CFP. He's also the kicker most likely to double as a hardboiled private investigator in a crime noir. After making more than 80 percent of his field goals the previous two seasons, Auburn is 14-for-21 as a senior, including two misses in an overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Auburn also made four field goals in that game, so maybe he wasn't the biggest problem. Settling for six field goals isn't a recipe for the Longhorns to go deep in the CFP. But if Texas needs a clutch kick to extend its season, that sounds like a job for Bert Auburn, P.I.

Atticus Sappington: The CFP's No. 1 Seed Kicker

Atticus Sappington is the kicker for the No. 1 seed in the CFP and is 14-for-16 this season. He switched sides in the Oregon-Oregon State rivalry after kicking for the Beavers in 2023. Sappington is accurate from 45 yards and in, but long field goals aren't his forte. Andrew Boyle has the bigger leg and has attempted three field goals of 50-plus, hitting a 50-yarder against Michigan State.

Red-Zone TD Rate Rankings and Field Goal Woes

Some teams have had success in the red zone, while others have struggled. Indiana has the highest red-zone touchdown rate in the FBS, while Notre Dame has struggled, ranking last in the FBS with an 8-for-18 (44.4 percent) success rate. Ohio State has also had issues, with Fielding missing twice against Michigan. Penn State has had its share of kicker problems, with Barker showing he can kick under pressure but not necessarily from long range.

Arizona State's Kieffer: The Potential Game-Winner

Back in October, coach Kenny Dillingham ranted about Arizona State's atrocious kicking situation. Kieffer, Arizona State's third kicker of the season, made a 32-yarder in the Big 12 Championship Game and appears to have earned the job in the CFP. He's 1-for-2 this season, and his only other attempt came Aug. 31 against Wyoming. Which means, of course, he's probably going to end up attempting the biggest kick of the entire college football season.