How Three Specialists Made Their Mark on 2016 and the Record Books

The 2016 season saw plenty of ups, a few downs, and several historic moments for the Cowboys. The oft skimmed-over Cowboy specialists made quite the impact on the field — and in the record books.

Ben Grogan

We could start with none other than senior place kicker Ben Grogan. The Cowboys’ all-time leading scorer is like a hot take personified. Ask ten different Cowboy fans how they will remember Grogan’s career and you’ll likely get just one of two answers.

But let’s recognize the impressive feats Grogan was able to accomplish over his four-year career and this season in particular.

• Ben Grogan is the OSU career-leading scorer with 433 points. He passed Dan Bailey (370) earlier this season.
• With 117 points this season, he’s the first OSU player to tally at least 100 points in four straight seasons.
• Finished career as all-time leader in PAT’s (229), passing Dan Bailey (again) who had 199 in his four-year career. His 234 PAT attempts also passed Bailey’s previously held record of 201.
• Grogan finished with 68 career made field goals, one shy of Bailey’s school record 69.

Matt Ammendola

Ammendola was only 1 for 1 on field goals but that one make amounted to a 53-yarder which ties for third longest in school history. The kid’s got a leg.

Taking over kickoff duties this year, Ammendola finished 33rd nationally in average yardage (63.1 yards) and 43rd nationally in touchback percentage (47 percent).

I know those aren’t record-setting numbers but they are a vast improvement from last year when Ben Grogan handled both place kicking and kickoff’s. Only 24 percent of his kickoffs resulting in touchbacks.

With Grogan out the door, expect “Philly,” as his head coach endearingly refers to him, to get a chance to air out that leg in field goal duties in 2017.

Zach Sinor

Zach Sinor flipped the field for Oklahoma State this year so many times. His long-range accuracy combined with his distinct swagger makes him the Thomas Dziagwa of OSU football. I guess Dizzy would actually be the “Zach the Punter” of OSU basketball. Either way, you got to love it, and I hope they both win a Heisman.

Of Sinor’s 56 punts this season, 35 landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line (63 percent) which led all FBS punters. It’s also the highest mark accomplished by anyone in three years — Ohio State’s Cameron Johnston was at 63 percent in 2013.

Also remarkably, he finished the year with only one touchback. That’s precision.

Sinor’s overall effectiveness led to a No. 1 ranking nationally in defensive starting field position for the Cowboys with opponents averaging 76.2 to the end zone on each possession.

And the good news is, Sinor (and his precise leg) will be back next year.

Statement pic.twitter.com/I3LpYeEhjW

— Zach The Punter (@ZachSinor29) December 30, 2016