DaytonDailyNews.com

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Mike Nugent measured his steps and gazed at his target 54 yards away. He knew he was going to make the field goal.

The New York Jets' second-year kicker high-fived holder Ben Graham as the ball sailed through the uprights easily for a career-long field goal, just as he imagined seconds earlier.

"If you don't have confidence in yourself, you might as well not even be out on the field," said the soft-spoken and mild-mannered Nugent, a Centerville, Ohio, native who played at Ohio State. "If you're the only one in the whole stadium that has confidence in yourself, well, that's the most you need on the field to do your job."

Nugent tied a career high with four field goals in the Jets' 26-11 win over Houston on Sunday and made a big statement with his 54-yarder that was plenty long and 1 yard shy of the team record.

"It was all that turkey," Graham jokingly shouted in his Australian accent as he strolled past Nugent's crowded locker Monday.

"Mike really nailed it," coach Eric Mangini added. "Mike is the type of guy that everybody cheers for because of the way he works, the way he cares. He's easy to root for. Obviously, everybody wants three points, but aside from that, it's just good to see him hit that type of field goal."

With his small stature — he's 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds — and boyish looks, Nugent can easily be mistaken for a reporter or equipment manager in the Jets' locker room. On the field, he has stood tall for years.

Nugent set or tied 22 school records at Ohio State, where he established a reputation for having a powerful and accurate leg. Those credentials made him one of the highest-drafted kickers in the last 23 years when the Jets took him in the second round, 47th overall, in 2005.

Big things were obviously expected, but his NFL career got off to a dubious start. Nugent's first field-goal attempt was blocked in the opener against Kansas City, but he rebounded to have a decent rookie season. He made 22 of 28 field goals, including a 49-yarder in the season finale against Buffalo.

Nugent then had a horrific opening game this season in a 23-16 win at Tennessee, missing two of his three field-goal attempts and an extra point.

"Even though I had that Tennessee game, I'm glad we got the win, and my teammates are so supportive, it's unbelievable," Nugent said.

Until Sunday, Nugent had missed his only try from 50 this season — a 52-yarder at windy Cleveland four weeks ago. He was 0-for-3 in his career from 50-plus yards when Mangini and special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff let Nugent try one Sunday.