Louisville football: The 50 greatest Cardinals of all time

Maybe the most impressive player statistically on this list is none other than former Louisville kicker Art Carmody.

From 2004 to 2007, Carmody was the benefactor of some of the best offensive years in Louisville football history. However, it wasn’t just being a kicker on an electrifying offense that made his play impressive. Carmody is one of the best kickers in college football history.

Carmody holds 21 career, single-season and single-game records for the Cardinals. He is the NCAA’s second all-time leading scorer as a kicker. He held the record as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer by kicking for three years.

Carmody never had a huge leg, but what made him so incredible was his machine-like precision. When Louisville was in Carmody’s range, you could almost guarantee that Carmody would boot it straight down the middle.

The left-footed wonder from Shreveport, Louisiana made 21 out of 25 field-goal attempts in Louisville’s Orange Bowl season in 2006, including 16 straight at one point. Carmody hit a career-long 51-yard field goal try against Pittsburgh that season and helped the Cards in a struggle offensively in their first BCS bowl win.

Carmody was No. 1 in the nation in extra points attempted and made in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He was first in the nation in 2006 in points scored.

For his outstanding efforts, Carmody was awarded the Lou Groza Award in 2006, which puts him in incredible company. Among those who have won the award since it’s inception, Carmody is one of only four players to not kick a field goal in the NFL.