Nolan Hauser Kicking His Way Into Clemson History Amid Tigers' Offensive Struggles

While Clemson's offense continues searching for consistency, Nolan Hauser has quietly become one of the Tigers' most reliable weapons.

And Saturday afternoon against Charleston Southern, the junior kicker added another chapter to a career that is rapidly moving him up Clemson's record books.

Hauser connected on all three field-goal attempts and four extra points in Clemson's 37-0 win, highlighted by a career-long 59-yard field goal in the closing moments of the first half.

The kick was the second-longest in program history, trailing only Spencer Benton's 61-yarder against Ball State in 2012.

It also earned Hauser his third ACC Specialist of the Week honor this season and the fifth of his career, surpassing David Richardson for the most selections in Clemson history.

But the significance of Hauser's performance extends well beyond another conference award.

Through six games, Hauser has connected on 15 of 16 field goal attempts, a remarkable 93.8 percent success rate. He ranks tied for second nationally in field goals made and is one of only two kickers among the 13 players with at least 15 attempts this season converting at least 90 percent of their opportunities.

His 59-yarder ranks as the third-longest field goal nationally this season, while his 583 cumulative yards of successful field goals rank second.

For a Clemson offense that has struggled to consistently capitalize on scoring opportunities, that kind of production has become increasingly valuable.

Head coach Dabo Swinney admitted there was some uncertainty before sending Hauser out for the long attempt Saturday.

"I asked him, I said, do you think you can get it there?" Swinney recalled. "And so I threw up some grass, I think."

Swinney ultimately gave the green light, and Hauser delivered.

"What a kick, what a kick," Swinney said. "And that kid's having an amazing year, really happy for him."

The performance also pushed Hauser past 50 career field goals and 250 career points, placing him among a select group of kickers in Clemson history.

Perhaps most impressively, Hauser now owns two of the five longest field goals in program history, including his unforgettable 56-yard walk-off winner against SMU in the 2024 ACC Championship Game.

That kick delivered a conference championship. Saturday's 59-yarder reinforced just how much confidence Clemson can place in his leg.

Swinney said he has watched Hauser connect from beyond 60 yards in practice, giving the Tigers confidence in situations where other teams might be forced to punt.

With Virginia Tech visiting Death Valley on Saturday and five consecutive ACC games awaiting Clemson, that confidence could prove invaluable.

The Tigers still have plenty to fix offensively, but when a drive stalls within Hauser's considerable range, Clemson has a weapon few teams can match.

And as his list of accomplishments continues to grow, Hauser is building a compelling case for consideration among the best kickers in Clemson history.