Dragan Kesich makes Gophers football history with field goal vs. Nevada

Minnesota Golden Gophers kicker Dragan Kesich will be etched in the football program's history books after his first-quarter field goal against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday.

The fifth-year Gopher connected on a 52-yard field goal to put Minnesota up 3-0 early. It was Kesich's second-longest field goal in his collegiate career and also was the fifth career field goal made from at least 50 yards.

The latter is a school record for the former Big Ten Kicker of the Year.

Kesich added a 21-yard field goal against the Wolf Pack later in the first quarter.

Last week against Rhode Island, Kesich set a career-long of 53 yards out in the Gophers' 40-0 blowout win. On the season, the Minnesota kicker has converted on 5-of-8 attempts and is a perfect 8-for-8 on PATs.

In addition to being named the Big Ten Kicker of the Year last season, Kesich was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team. Heading into this season, he was named among 30 finalists for the Lou Groza Award watch list.

Kesich was a finalist for the award last season, as he made 23-of-27 field-goal attempts while hitting all 27 extra point attempts. His 54-yard field goal matched the program's fifth-longest field goal in Minnesota's long history.

The kicker also was fourth in the nation in touchback percentage (85.48%). He led the team in scoring in 2023 (96 points).