Syracuse, N.Y. -- Before Andre Szmyt trotted onto Waldo Stadium to kick an extra point in Syracuse football's season opener at Western Michigan on Aug. 31, he was a complete unknown outside the program.
Six weeks later, the redshirt freshman walk-on placekicker was named a midseason All-American by ESPN.com. Szmyt has made 16-of-17 field goals this fall, including all three of his 50-plus yard attempts -- one of which came in a raucous environment at Clemson. He's also converted all 30 of his point-after tries.
A Vernon Hills, Ill., native, Szmyt "came out of nowhere" to win the starting job during preseason camp, SU head coach Dino Babers said previously, passing every test the coaching staff threw at him.