Former Memphis kicker Stephen Gostkowski finished his career with the Tigers in 2005, and his name went down in the record books. Eleven years later, Jake Elliott left and had topped those records. Gostkowski came one game shy of the Super Bowl his rookie season, but Elliott’s rookie season is ending in Super Bowl LII.Â
Gostkowski arrived in Memphis during the Tommy West era. In a Tiger uniform, he had 70 career field goals, the most of any Memphis player. He had 22 field goals in his senior season, the second highest of any player. He also had a 76.1 percent field goal percentage during his career, the second highest of any player.
“Any great kicker has to have a great offense in front of him — Gostkowski certainly did,†Ben Cowens the fall 2004 sports editor of The Daily Helmsman, said. “But for Elliott to become the leading scorer in school history is very impressive. Not only did he surpass Gostkowski, he may have put that record out of reach.â€
Gostkowski has been with New England since 2006. This will be his fifth Super Bowl appearance and he could walk away as a four-time Super Bowl champion Sunday.
Jake Elliott kicks off against Kansas. The former Tiger and current Philadelphia Eagles kicker will square off against fellow Memphis alum and current New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostowski in Super Bowl 52
Elliott came to Memphis in then-head coach Justin Fuente’s second season. He had 81 career field goals, the most of any Memphis kicker. He had 23 field goals in a single season in 2015, tied with Joe Allison for the most in Memphis history. In his first season, he tied Ryan White’s 1999 record for most field goals in a single game at five. Elliott’s career has the highest field goal percentage in Memphis history at 77.9 percent.
Stephen Gostowski gets set to kick off. The former Tiger and current Patriots kicker will face off against fellow Memphis alum Jake Elliot in Super Bowl 52
“You definitely saw the potential early on, and what made him different from most of his peers was the ability to hit from long distances,†Omer Yusuf, the 2015 sports editor of The Daily Helmsman, said. “You always felt Elliott could make a big kick from 40 or 50 if you needed it — while making most if not all the easier kicks — and that is a special trait for a college kicker. I knew he would play in the NFL within the first couple of years of watching him.â€
Elliott went into the regular season as a free agent after being cut by the Cincinnati Bengals, but the Eagles picked him up. He made a 61-yard game-winning field goal against the New York Giants this season, which was a franchise record.Â
Gostkowski said it is “cool†to play against another former Memphis kicker.
“It’s really unique for the school and the uniqueness of the same position,†Gostkowski said.
He also said he has been impressed with what Elliott has done with the Eagles this season.
“From what I’ve seen, he’s done an unbelievable job,†Gostkowski said. “He’s obviously on a great team. He had that big kick against the Giants, so it seems like he’s come through for them a lot. So it’s good to see.â€
Gostkowski said they have talked during Elliott’s time in Philadelphia. He said he texted Elliott after the NFC Championship game.
“I wish him well,†Gostkowski said. “But I hope his team loses this weekend.â€
