Nelson adds name to record book
Junior kicker now school's all-time leader in FG made
ABILENE -- ACU junior placekicker Eben Nelson added his name to the Wildcats' record book in two different ways Saturday after connecting on four field goals in ACU's 18-14 homecoming win over Midwestern State University at Shotwell Stadium.
The Wildcats' junior placekicker kicked field goals of 42, 42, 34 and -- just for good measure on a record-setting day -- a career-long 53 yards to help keep the Wildcats undefeated in Lone Star Conference South Division play at 3-0 and tied with Texas A&M-Kingsville atop the division standings. He also earned LSC South Division Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his efforts.
Nelson's four field goals broke the previous school record for most career field goals. Nelson now has 28 field goals, one more than previous record-holder Mark Turner converted from 1984-86. He also has nine field goals this season, which is only five away from tying the school's single-season record of 14 (Dennis Brown in 1987).
Nelson also tied the school record for most field goals in one game with four, tying the mark previously established by Turner in 1986 against Angelo State and tied by Brown in 1987 against Tennessee Tech.
Nelson also has 139 career kicking points, which is fifth on the school's all-time career list. He is just 14 points behind the career leader, Martin Perry, who scored 163 kicking points from 1978-1981.
Nelson hit three field goals in the second half, and his third field goal of the day -- a 42-yarder with 38 seconds left in the third quarter -- gave ACU a lead it would not relinquish. Nelson has provided the game-winning points (either PAT or field goals) five times in 28 career games as a Wildcat.
