Florida State's offense had its share of issues in the first half of its Week 0 game against Georgia Tech. The DJ Uiagalelei-led offense stalled out in fringe scoring range a couple of times, leaving coach Mike Norvell with a difficult decision.
Would Florida State go for it, punt or try a 50-plus-yard field goal?
On two of those occasions, the Seminoles tried the long field goal. In both instances, kicker Ryan Fitzgerald converted the try.
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Fitzgerald's first field goal make came from 52 yards away. He tucked it comfortably inside the right upright from the right hash to extend Florida State's lead to 11-7.
Ryan Fitzgerald hits a 52 yard field goal pic.twitter.com/rXrbecSgIR
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) August 24, 2024
Fitzgerald's more impressive kick came later in the first half. He hit a 59-yarder to tie things at 14. That make was good for the second-longest one in Florida State's storied history.
Ryan Fitzgerald has now made field goals of 52 & 59 Yards👀
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 24, 2024
pic.twitter.com/MZ5ghM1F80
Naturally, Fitzgerald's performance had college football fans abuzz. After all, college kickers are usually known for being frustratingly inconsistent and having issues with simple-looking kicks.
Fitzgerald has bucked that trend, and his performance is helping No. 10-ranked FSU compete in a tightly contested ACC battle with Georgia Tech.
Here's what to know about the veteran kicker as he showcases his star potential for the Seminoles.
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Who is Ryan Fitzgerald?
Fitzgerald is a redshirt senior kicker playing his fifth season at Florida State. He has been in the program for six seasons after redshirting in 2019 and taking advantage of his COVID year to return in 2024.
Fitzgerald is in his fourth year as the team's primary kicker and entered his final college season ranked ninth in Florida State history in total points scored with 299. His 90.5 field goal percentage in 2023 ranks as the third-best single-season mark in FSU history as well.
Fitzgerald will look to best that mark in 2024 as he tries to establish himself as a potential pro-level kicker.
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Ryan Fitzgerald stats
Fitzgerald never had a field goal percentage better than 76.9 in a single season before his successful 2023 campaign. His overall efficiency at Florida State hasn't been great, but it appears he is hitting his stride as he enters his super-senior season.
Below is a look at his year-by-year stats as the 2024 college season begins.
| Year | FGM | FGA | FG% | XPM | XPA | XP% |
| 2020 | 4 | 7 | 57.1 | 12 | 12 | 100 |
| 2021 | 10 | 13 | 76.9 | 37 | 40 | 92.5 |
| 2022 | 12 | 20 | 60 | 57 | 58 | 98.3 |
| 2023 | 19 | 21 | 90.5 | 58 | 58 | 100 |
Before the 2024 season, Fitzgerald's career-long field goal was a 53-yarder he made in the 2021 season, his first as a full-time starter. He blew that out of the water with his 59-yard make against the Yellow Jackets.
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Longest field goals in Florida State history
Fitzgerald's 59-yard field goal ranks as the second-longest field goal in FSU history. His feat has only been beaten by Gary Cismesia, who converted on a 60-yard kick at the end of the 2007 season.
