Purdue head coach Joe Tiller labeled junior kicker Ben Jones “a breath of fresh air” after the walkon transfer from Butler University tied the Big Ten record with 25 field goals (out of 30 attempts) in 2003. Jones’ success rate of 83.3 percent set a school record, setting him up to be a prime candidate for the Lou Groza Award and All-America honors.

Jones was particularly effective from 40-plus yards, going 10 of 11, with his lone miss coming from 53 yards. His 50-yarder vs. Illinois on Oct. 4, 2003, was one yard shy of the school record. Overall, Jones made his eight field goal attempts of the season and later had a string of 11 in a row. He nailed a 44-yarder late in regulation of the Capital One Bowl, sending the game into overtime.

Primarily a soccer player in high school, Jones played at Butler as a freshman and made 4 of 9 field goal attempts, including two from 48 yards, and felt he could succeed at a larger school.

Ben is majoring in health and fitness at Purdue.