Florida State placekicker Dustin Hopkins converted a pair of field goals against Duke last week and set a new school record ahead of being named this week's ACC Specialist of the Week. (Associated Press)
Florida State placekicker Dustin Hopkins was named the ACC’s Specialist of the Week for his efforts in the Seminoles’ 41-16 win over Duke on Saturday. In addition to burying a pair of field goals and all of his point-after attempts, he set a new school record and pulled just short of another. He has a chance to set that second record this weekend when the Seminoles host Maryland.
This is the second time this season Hopkins has earned the honor. He also was named Specialist of the Week when he hit two field goals — a 53- and 46-yarder — against Oklahoma in Week 3.
Hopkins earned this week’s award for his two field goals against Duke and his successfully converted PATs. One of his field goals was a 48-yard kick that went into a stiff breeze.
What really made Hopkins’ afternoon special, though, was the fact that he set a new school record for consecutive PATs converted. He now has 110 PATs in-a-row, passing Derek Schmidt on the all-time list. Schmidt had 108 consecutive PATs in 1987.
Up next for Hopkins is a stab at FSU’s all-time consecutive field goals mark. He has made his last 17 attempts, with a chance to go for 18 this Saturday against Maryland. Former Seminoles kicker Graham Gano got up to 18 straight in 2005. Hopkins’ last miss came on a failed game-winning attempt against North Carolina last season.
Here’s the blurb from the ACC on Hopkins’ honor:
SPECIALIST – Dustin Hopkins, Florida State, K, Jr., 6-2, 190, Houston, Tx.
With four successful PATs against Duke, Hopkins established a new FSU school record, pushing his streak of conversions to 109. It snapped a record held by Derek Schmidt (108, 1984-86) for the past 26 seasons. Hopkins also converted a pair of field goals against the Blue Devils, including a 48-yarder into the wind at the end of the first half, which extended his streak of successful FG attempts to 17. That’s one field goal shy of Graham Gano’s career record 18 consecutive FG’s. In addition to his placement kicks, the Hopkins-led Seminoles lead the ACC in Kickoff Coverage with a 49.5 net average. Hopkins is one of three kickers in the NCAA’s FBS who has not missed a kick this year, making all 24 PATs and all 10 field goals.
Chopping Block – Seminoles Blog – Orlando Sentinel
