The highky-touted sophomore Johnny Beck is a 2002 candidate for the Lou Groza Award, which goes to the nation's best Div. I kicker. He has added 15 pounds to his 6-foot-1 frame since last season, and said he was in better physical condition than last year when he made 14 of 20 field-goal attempts and 16 of 17 extra points. This year, he's shown 60-yard range in practice. "Johnny Beck had a heck of a spring," Mangino said. "I think he's got a chance to be a really top-notch kicker in this conference. He's got a strong leg. He can boot that ball into the wind. He'll be fine," Mangino said. "I think he showed in the spring that he's developed consistency. We trust that'll carry over into the fall."

Last year:
Beck converted 14-of-20 field-goal attempts and 16-of-17 extra-point attempts last fall. The Kansas City Piper product made both of his attempts from beyond 50 yards, including an NCAA freshman record 59-yarder against Colorado. While making 10 of his first 11 field goals tries, he slumped to making only four of his last nine.