UCF football kicker Noe Ruelas has been recognized as the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week after making a decisive field goal against Oklahoma State. The kick, which came with less than a minute remaining in the game, secured a 17-14 win for UCF. This marked Ruelas’ first career game-winning field goal.
The successful 34-yard attempt was set up by a snap from Dalton Riggs and a hold from Anthony Venneri. Ruelas is currently a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award and has converted 15 out of 17 field goals this season. His accuracy rate of 88.2% leads the Big 12 and ranks tied for third in single-season field goal percentage among UCF kickers.
Ruelas also became the only player in UCF’s FBS history to make three field goals from beyond 50 yards in one season, including kicks of 54 yards against Houston, 53 yards at Kansas State, and 51 yards versus West Virginia. The program record for most field goals over 50 yards in a season is four, set by Scott Ryerson in 1981.
“UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida’s preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as ‘Orlando’s Hometown Team’. To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com,” according to information provided by UCF Athletics.
