Iowa's Mike Meyer earns national award

IOWA CITY - Mike Meyer earned the national Placekicker of the Week honor from the College Football Performance Awards after hitting four field goals against Iowa State on Saturday.

Meyer, a sophomore from Dubuque, connected on attempts from 42, 20, 50 and 34 yards. He's now 6-for-6 in field-goal attempts during the season. He also has hit all seven extra-point attempts.

"I think mostly it's just envisioning, putting yourself into that position before it happens," Meyer said. "So you know what it's like, and you can get the feel for it."

Meyer's six field goals rank second nationally. His 50-yard field goal was Iowa's longest since Kyle Schlicher hit a 52-yarder against Ohio State in 2005.

Meyer's secret so far is to empty his mind before each attempt.

"I try not to (think about the kick)," Meyer said. "It's all like Coach (Kirk) Ferentz said. It's all focus and confidence."

Meyer said he's confident he could hit a game-winner any time the team needed it, especially in the final seconds.

"If it happens, yeah, I'd love it," Meyer said.

Meyer and junior kicker Trent Mossbrucker often test their distance in warmups. Meyer said he makes kicks from 55 yards in practice.

Meyer was a walk-on last year after a stellar career at Dubuque Wahlert High School. He set the Mississippi Valley Conference record with a 56-yard field goal. He was a high school teammate of Iowa basketball player Eric May.

In Iowa's season opener last year, Meyer was set for kickoff duty. He moved in as the full-time kicker by the fourth game. He now has booted 20-of-23 field-goal attempts in his Iowa career.