Botched kicks in big games help define season

Published Jan. 7, 2012 10:38 p.m. ET

foxsports

Putting the game in the hands - or rather on the foot - of a kicker has been a dicey proposition in big games this season. In many ways, it's been a season defined by botched boots. Here are some of the most notable.

- No. 2 Alabama's Cade Foster missed three long field goals - including one to open overtime - in a 9-6 loss to No. 1 LSU. Crimson Tide's Jeremy Shelley had a 49-yarder blocked.

- Boise State freshman kicker Dan Goodale's 39-yard kick sailed wide right as time expired to give TCU a 36-35 victory, ending the Broncos' hopes for a national title shot.

- Championship contender Oklahoma State fell 37-31 to Iowa State after Quinn Sharp's 37-yarder with 1:17 left missed to the right in a game the Cowboys would lose in double overtime.

- Oregon was poised to move up the BCS standings with Oklahoma State having lost a day earlier, but Alejandro Maldondado was wide left on a 37-yard field goal attempt with a couple seconds left and the Ducks lost to USC 38-35.

- No. 4 Stanford's kicker Jordan Williamson missed a 35-yard field goal wide left as time expired in regulation and missed a 43-yarder to open overtime in the Cardinal's 41-38 Fiesta Bowl loss to No. 3 Oklahoma State.

- No. 17 Virginia Tech's third-string kicker Justin Myer made four kicks but missed a 37-yarder to start overtime in a 23-20 loss to No. 13 Michigan in the Sugar Bowl.