The start of the Florida Gators' 2025 college football season was near-perfect: a 55-0 rout of Long Island University at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The not-so-perfect part was kicker Trey Smack’s uncharacteristic three missed field goals, two of them from a distance where he has been automatic.
Smack, regarded as one of the top returning placekickers in the NCAA, had plenty of distance on attempts from 40 and 39 yards, but hooked one wide left and pushed the other wide right. His other miss, from what would have been a career-long 57 yards, bounced off the left upright.
For context, Smack missed only three field goals all of last season.
Not to worry, says Gators coach Billy Napier. He likened Smack to a basketball player who has lost his shooting touch but shoots their way out of the slump.
"That's what makes (Trey) great is he can think, he's got the mental makeup and the toughness," Napier said. "Great shooters, when they miss early, they don't stop shooting. They keep shooting. So we'll keep letting Trey shoot."
In 2024, Smack went 17-for-20 on field goals and was one of the most consistent weapons in Florida’s special-teams arsenal. Over two years as the Gators’ No. 1 kicker, he has connected on 35 of 42 attempts. The 83.3% success rate ranks fourth-best in school history. He’s also shown elite range, drilling three career kicks from beyond 50 yards.
Still, Saturday's short misses are the ones that linger, rare reminders that even the best kickers — or shooters — can have off days.
Again, Napier seemed unconcerned.
“First of all, he hit all three of them really well, and they were deep,” Napier said. “I think the one that he missed that was short, he kind of punched it, which we’re talking about inches in all three. I mean they’re literally combined maybe off a yard.
"Nobody needs to be jumping off a bridge out there. The guy’s an elite competitor and he is phenomenal at his job. It’s important to him, so he’s going to work extremely hard and he’ll be ready.”
The day was far from disastrous for Smack. He also converted two field goals — one from 41 yards and another from a career-long 56 yards — and nailed all seven extra-point attempts. His 56-yarder reinforced why he was named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List entering the season.
Smack’s work ethic and confidence have made him a reliable component of the Florida offense. During the preseason, reporters asked him about ultra-long kicks after Jacksonville Jaguars specialist Cam Little connected on a 70-yard field goal in a preseason game against Pittsburgh. Smack acknowledged he has the leg for something similar.
“My longest ever in the indoor (practice facility) is 69," Smack said. "Any opportunity Coach Napier gives me, I love it.”
Smack’s combination of power and accuracy is what has put him on the national radar and why Florida coaches aren’t losing faith in him after one sub-par game.
Smack will get a chance to put any doubts to rest Saturday when Florida hosts the University of South Florida in Gainesville. The Bulls, fresh off an opening-week statement win over Boise State, figure to present a much stiffer challenge than Long Island. In a game that could remain close into the second half, Smack’s ability to convert scoring chances may prove to be the difference.