ShowGirl

  (12:49 PM)

Hey everybody, welcome to The Show! Ohio State kicker Mike Nugent will be joining us shortly. Keep sending in those questions, we'll get rolling at 1 p.m. ET!

Mike Nugent

  (1:00 PM)

Hey everybody, good to see all these questions from you -- thanks for writing in! Here we go.

Ben Columbus Ohio

Hey Mike...what do you think about our new t-shirts we'll be wearing in Northwestern...front: 4th and Nuge back: It's good! Go Bucks!

Mike Nugent

  (1:02 PM)

I haven't heard anything about those yet -- it's so great! It's amazing the support we have all over the place. Thank you!

Jason M. (Columbus, Ohio)

I dont think the atmosphere in THE SHOE can be matched, but what other stadium do you consider to be a runner-up?

Mike Nugent

  (1:03 PM)

Probably either Penn STate or Wisconsin. The crowd that they bring and the talent coupled with that just creates such an amazing atmosphere. I guess I have to go with Wisconsin actually, the fans are great and then they do that jump around in the third quarter. It just adds a so much to the game day.

KingH (Dayton, OH)

Mike, who has been your biggest influence as far as kicking goes? I have a great deal of respect for what you do -- 60 minutes of battle, and it comes down to you. You handle the pressure so well!!

Mike Nugent

  (1:05 PM)

Thanks King. I don't really owe it to any individual person. Just a lot of hard work put in with the team and it's great to have that team support. Just starting back all the way in high school learning discipline and handling the pressure and taking it all to this next college level.

eman (nc)

Is it true that you were also a high school QB?

Mike Nugent

  (1:06 PM)

Yes, actually I was a running back my first three years in high school, then I was the QB my senior year.

forte new york

does your extensive golf background help you handle the pressure down the stretch

Mike Nugent

  (1:07 PM)

Definitely. I took that experiecne from being on the field and getting hit a little bit, and so I know what it's like to be out there. I take that and am able to learn from it today.

Omar (Columbus)

Mike, When you came in as a freshman there was lots of talk about you as a kicker. The difference between your first year and second year were amazing. What did you do in the off season that brought about that dramatic change during the 2002 championship run. NUGE FOR HEISMAN!!!!! GO BUCKS!!!!!!

Mike Nugent

  (1:09 PM)

Really? I guess the biggest thing was spring ball right after that freshman season. There were some ups and downs of that freshman year, I saw, pretty much the worst that it could be for me, and I just wanted to change that and get better from there.

Chris (Pasadena, CA)

Hey Mike. I am a long time Buckeye fan originally from Cincinnati. I haven't seen a kicker this good since Tim Williams. What exactly are the Buckeyes aiming for at this time? Orange Bowl or Rose? Hope to see you out here in Pasadena in January!

Mike Nugent

  (1:11 PM)

That's always been my goal Chris, to play in that Rose Bowl. Of course, first and foremost, we want to win the Big-10. There is so much competition in this conference. We'd love to win this and get that automatic to the Rose Bowl ... and of course, ultimately, we'd love to be out there for the Orange Bowl and the national championship.

Jeff (Buckeye Planet)

Mike, youre too humble my man! Let's see some crazy Gramatica like celebration after you nail a 55 yarder. Or better yet, the Heisman pose!

Mike Nugent

  (1:12 PM)

That's just kinda the way I play. I know some guys go pretty crazy after hitting a field goal, but, even if you hit a 55-yard game winner, that's still not the only thing that happened that led you to that point. So I just try to keep calm and keep my mouth shut.

William (West Lafayette)

I am a big Purdue fan, but one of your clutch kicks finshed us last year...I was wondering if there is one thing that you focus on when you are preparing for a game winning kick over a FG early in the first quarter, or if you try to keep it as normal as possible.

Mike Nugent

  (1:13 PM)

Actually, no matter what the situation, I just try to keep it all the same. COnsistancy is my big thing. If you are a consistant kicker you do the same thing every kick, every day.

Brian Worthington, OH

Give your best Jim Tressel assesment of the OSU Running backs

Mike Nugent

  (1:15 PM)

It's almost the same I was saying about kicking consistancy. Tressel just wants to get the most out of every situation and everygame. He doesn't want a good game then two bad games then a good game out of us, he wants the best every time.

Pete Springfield, OH

Nooooogggeeee, It is hard for me to root for an Elk being a former North Panther,but as a fellow Buckeye you have done an amazing job finishing off great Buckeye wins not only this season but throughout your career. My question is this, does the lack of respect that not only the Bucks are getting but the entire conference have any effect on the team attitude? Go BUCKS! Good luck this weekend and have a great season.

Mike Nugent

  (1:18 PM)

Thanks a lot Pete. I think it's almost like this every year. In my three years, it seems like every single team in the Big 10 works so hard, but for whatever reason, be it the lack of west coast offense, or what, it seems like we aren't recognized as a national championship threat. So, we're all dealing with that, you know? Every team in the conference deals with that and I don't really think it affects us. We just keep doing what we do and hope our actions and successes speak for themselves.

Pat (Chicago)

You're the biggest name in College kicking since Janikowski played for Florida State. Not only that, but it now seems like you're the center of attention for the entire Ohio State football team. How's it feel being in the spotlight?

Mike Nugent

  (1:20 PM)

I know know, it's kind of the first I've heard of all this, you know. I owe so much to everyone else. When I hit a field goal, the defense has to make a great stop, the offense has to make a great job and field position ... my snapper ... my holder. Everybody works so hard for those three points. So i really can't take the credit you, know. As far as I'm concerned, it's the spotlight's on everybody.

Phil (Cleveland)

You can tell the truth... you were the better QB than Herbsteit in High School right? Since Kirk will be in chat later, give us some good ammo to give him a good laugh later about his old days!

Mike Nugent

  (1:21 PM)

I wish I could, there is a reason why Kirk is such a big name guy! He was a great player and he's a great person. We played for a lot of the same coaches and I just listen to what people and coaches and players say about Kirk and I don't think I came close to what he did out there at quarterback.

Scott, Columbus, Ohio

Nuge! A) you're huge! B) what is your routine? game day? Practice? Off season? everyone of them the same routine? do you practice more or less at any given time? Give me an idea of how many balls you kick a week? As a bucks fan and a kicker, your insight is gold...

Mike Nugent

  (1:24 PM)

I think basically, no matter what the situation or the day, I keep everything exactly the same. That breeds consistancy. I start out with hitting a good amount of balls on Tuesday then gradually decline that number as the week moves on and we near game day. I just try to have good quality practice, if I'm not having a great day I don't do anything crazy or excessive like kicking a million balls to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I just keep in in check and go about my usual routine and hope the foundation is in place for a great game day.

Terry (DC)

Since you were a high school QB, how would you like to go for a pass play on a fake field goal?

Mike Nugent

  (1:26 PM)

Yeah! I think about that every now and then. The coaches know I have the background for it, I've seen it before -- not in college -- but I think we definitely could make the best of that play if the situation were to arise.

Bob (Dayton)

Mike, Congrats on a great start this year. Who's the better kicker? You or your brother Kevin who's on the Buckeye soccer team? Who's got the better leg in the backyard kicking contests?

Mike Nugent

  (1:27 PM)

It's actually kinda funny. We have a tradition, this contest with my brother and our buddies, we always get out there in the freezing cold but it's a rule that I am the holder -- always.

Reg, Puyallup, WA

Mike, while you are the man and I've loved the past three seasons immensely, I'm going to drop dead at 38 from a heart attack any week now if you keep it up. Please talk to Coach Tressel and the team about saving the life of their biggest fan by beating Northwestern by, let's say 10 points. Go Bucks and Go Nuuuuuuuuge!

Mike Nugent

  (1:30 PM)

I've heard that so many times, I know Reg, I know! We have so many close games. I think it will really help us though, I think someday down the road, maybe if we're in a big game and it's close, we'll be that much better. Think of it that way!

SDY(College Park. MD)

Herbie says kickers are head cases. You seem like a regular player and were voted captain by your teammates. Can you talk about your relationship with the team?

Mike Nugent

  (1:32 PM)

I really don't know too many other kickers, but the ones I do know seem pretty normal. Yeah, some have some pretty weird superstitions, but I don't. I think I'm pretty much just another guy on the team, I think.

John (York SC)

Who is the guys that keeps everything light on the football team? Who is the funniest?

Mike Nugent

  (1:33 PM)

One guy that's big with that is Simon Fraser. He has such a great attitude and gets along with everybody and just makes sure everybody is always having fun.

Trevor, Akron, OH

Mike, given the success of kickers like yourself other great ones, and given the fact that kickers consistenly score more points than any other player on a team, do you see more room in gameplans for a kicking oriented offensive strategy? Thanks and GO BUCKS!!!!

Mike Nugent

  (1:35 PM)

I don't see too much strategy forcing a kick. I think it's always a backup. The ultimate goal is always to get down the field and score a touchdown. I don't think coaches would ever put more stock in the field goal, just b/c if you're only scoring three points every time down and the opponent is scoring seven, you're out of luck.

Dan (D.C.)

What is your role on kickoff coverage? Do you want to hit someone or has Tressell pretty much banned you from that given your importance to the team winning? GO BUCKS!!!

Mike Nugent

  (1:36 PM)

Oh no, I'm pretty much a safety. He doesn't ban me from that, I'm just the last line of defense back there. THat one last shot at making a tackle in case something happens.

BigDrill (Ft. Belvoir, VA)

What's the longest kick you've made in practice?

Mike Nugent

  (1:37 PM)

Without a rush or anything like that I hit one from 66 yards. I gotta say that my long snapper -- Kyle Andrews -- he is the best in the country. He just puts it in the perfect spot every time.

Woody: Toledo, Ohio

Mike, good luck for the remainder of this year and also for the remainder of your career. Since you are the main man now... What does the kicking game for OSU look like for the days that Nugent is in the NFL? GO BUCKS! BEAT BLUE!

Mike Nugent

  (1:39 PM)

One of my goals is definitely to get to the NFL. I mean, right now, I want to finish off my carreer strong here at Ohio State. I love football so much, I'd do anything I can to keep playing it.

Monica (Columbus)

In your opinion, how does this year's team compare to the 2002 National Championship Team with regard to a cohesive team environment as well as overall athletic ability?

Mike Nugent

  (1:40 PM)

Overall, I think we work so well together this year. We are a very cohesive bunch, as was that 2002 team. It's tough to compare talent to that national championship team but we're bringing in guys from all over every year and doing everything we can to get back there.

Tony (Nashville, TN)

Mike - longtime Buckeye fan here in the heart of Big Orange country. How loud does the Horseshoe really get on gamedays? Go Bucks!

Mike Nugent

  (1:42 PM)

I think, compared to any stadium I've ever been to, the Shoe is the loudest of them all. Although, I've never been down to Orange country. The fans and the atmosphere here are so amazing. I wouldn't want to come in here as a visiting team. No way.

Mike Nugent

  (1:45 PM)

Thanks for all the great questions and for all your support. Hopefully we can do this again some time and I can try to answer the rest of these. Thanks everybody. See you out there against Northwestern!

ShowGirl

  (1:47 PM)

Tune in Saturday at 9 pm ET on ESPN2 to catch Mike and the Buckeyes take on Northwestern!