Mike Nugent

BIOGRAPHY

Mike Nugent was born on March 2, 1982, in Centerville, Ohio. He is a placekicker for the New England Patriots. 

Nugent attended Centerville High School and played kicker and quarterback. After graduating, he went to Ohio State University. In his four-year career, he broke or tied 22 school records, including most points in a career by any player at Ohio State.  He completed 72 of 88 field-goal attempts and 140 of 143 extra-point attempts. He was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore in 2002 and again as a unanimous All-American senior in 2004, and received the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top college placekicker in 2004. Nugent also was part of the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes DIvision I NAtional Championship team and became the first kicker in school history to earn team most valuable player honors. 

In the 2005 NFL Draft, Nugent was selected by the New York Jets.  In the 2008 opening NFL game, Nugent injured his quadricep and was forced to stay on the bench for the rest of the season. In the 2009 offseason, he was an unrestricted free agent. On March 4, he signed a one year contract with Tamba Bay Buccaneers. After playing four games, he was released. In December 2009, The Arizona Cardinals signed Nugent, and on January 2, 2010, he was waived. 

The Cincinnati Bengals signed Nugent on April 23, 2010. On his first three-game of the season. He was named the AFC Special Teams Players of the Month. In 2011, he signed a one year contract with the Bengals, and in 2013, he re-signed to a two-year deal.  On September 7, 2014, Nugent tied the NFL record for most field goals made in one half with 5. On January 4, 2015, Nugent kicked a career-long 58-yard field goal during the AFC first-round playoff game against the Colts. In December 2016, Nugent was released from the Bengals. 

In 2017, Nugent signed with the New York Giants but was cut from the roster in September. In October, the Dallas Cowboys signed him to be a stand-in for injured Dan Bailey. He was released in November. In December 2017, The Chicago Bears signed him, and in week 17, he tied his record when he converted a 55-yard field goal. In 2018, he signed with the Oakland Raiders but was placed on injured reserve after a hip injury. On October 3, 2019, Nugent signed with the New England Patriots after Stephen Gostkowski on injury reserve.

On September 18, 2020, Nugent was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on December 12 and December 19 for the team's weeks 14 and 15 games against the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. On December 25, 2020, Nugent was promoted to the active roster. His only missed field goal came against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17 when the kick was blocked.