MattRuffolo

2021 – Senior*

• Lou Groza Award Watch List (nation’s top place kicker)
• Burlsworthy Trophy nominee (award presented annually to the most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on)
• CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team
• Career totals include 26-of-32 field goals and 94-of-99 extra points for 172 total points
• Hit 10-of-12 field goals this season and 54-of-55 extra points for 84 points
• His 54 extra points are a single-season school record, previously held by Lones Seiber (51 in 2007)
• Has a streak of five consecutive field goals, dating back to Nov. 13 at Vanderbilt (2-2 vs. Vandy, 1-1 at Louisville, 2-2 vs. Iowa)

2020 – Senior

• Hit 22-of-23 extra points and 12-of-14 field goal attempts, totaling 58 points, UK’s second-leading scorer
• Set a UK bowl record with three field goals, from 25, 26 and 20 yards, in the win over NC State in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
• Made all of his kicks in the win over South Carolina, including field goals of 22 and 41 yards, along with all five extra points
• Connected a 50-yard field goal in the second quarter at Missouri, tying his career long set last season vs. Arkansas
• Scored 10 points in Kentucky’s 34-7 win at No. 18/17-ranked Tennessee … Made a then-career-high 2-of-2 field goals, from 30 and 27 yards … Also made all four extra points
• Named to SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll

2019 – Junior

• Hit 4-of-5 field goals and 18-of-20 PATs
• Totaled 30 points
• Nailed a career-long 50-yard field goal in Kentucky’s 24-20 win over Arkansas
• His field goal came on the first drive of the second half, keeping UK’s momentum going after trailing 13-0 early in the game … Also made all three extra points
• Has a streak of 10 straight extra points made
• Named to SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
• Dean’s List (Fall 2019)

2018 – Sophomore

• Practiced with the team
• Named to SEC Academic Honor Roll

2017 – Freshman

• Practiced with the team
• Dean’s List (Fall 2017)

High School

• Two-year starter and letter winner at kicker for Archbishop Alter
• Coached by Ed Domsitz
• Did not miss an extra point for two straight seasons (2016 and 2015)
• Ranks second all-time in Ohio for consecutive PATs made with 103
• Hit 4 of 5 field goals, 79 of 79 PATs, 73 of 85 kicks were touchbacks and averaged 40.0 yards per punt as a senior
• Helped the Knights finish as conference champs
• and state runner-up with a 13-1 record in 2016
• Named to the All-Greater Catholic League First Team and was named to the Miami Valley Football Coaches Association (MVFCA) All-Star Team
• Honorable mention Southwest Ohio
• Member of the National Honors Society, graduating with honors
• Member of the Student Council, Key Club, University Club and German Club
• Chose UK over Dayton, Ball State and Toledo

Personal

• Born in Dayton, Ohio
• Son of John and Susie Ruffolo
• Sister, Kara, played soccer at Loyola, while brother, Michael, was a kicker at Dayton
• Graduated in May of 2021 with a degree in finance .. Currently working on his MBA at UK’s Gatton College of Business and Economics

Matt Says

• His nickname is “Big Foot”
• Other than playing for the NFL, his dream job is to be a CFO of a company
• The three people he would invite to his fantasy dinner are Peyton Manning, Donald Trump and Pat McAfee
• If he could create a holiday he would call it “National Spicy Italian Meatball Day” and everyone would eat meatballs