Zane Gonzalez set kicking records with Arizona State, now he'll try with the Arizona Cardinals

Katherine Fitzgerald | The Republic | azcentral.com

Zane Gonzalez knew that the Cardinals' practice facility was in Tempe, but he never knew just where.

"I actually never realized how close the practice facility was," the kicker said Wednesday in the Cardinals locker room.

"I used to live like maybe two miles down the road, didn't realize how close it was. But it's awesome to be back here. My friends, my family, everyone's super excited about it, as well as I am."

Gonzalez knows other parts of Tempe quite well, having played at Sun Devil Stadium. During his four years at ASU, Gonzalez set the NCAA Division I record for field goals made in a career, with 96. He won the 2016 Lou Groza Award, as the top college football placekicker.

With his college records and awards behind him, Gonzalez is hoping to write his next chapter in Arizona. On Monday, the Cardinals signed the ASU alum to their practice squad. He was drafted by the Browns in the seventh round of the 2017 draft. He made 15 of his 20 field-goal attempts during his rookie campaign, before struggling at the start of the 2018 season.

In his first two games with Cleveland this season, Gonzalez missed three field goals and two extra points, leading to a tie and a loss.

He had an underlying groin injury, which occurred during practice before Week 2 which has since cleared up. He's also mentally moved on from the critical missed kicks, which led to him being waived by the Browns.

"(I've) just moved on," he said. "You just focus on the present. I'm happy to be where I am now. Everything worked out in a great way. I ended up in Arizona, back home, so it's awesome."

He turned to former Cardinals kicker Jay Feely as a mentor, and came to Arizona for a workout a few weeks ago. On Monday, he got the call, and by Tuesday, he was flying back to Phoenix.

Gonzalez is now back in Arizona in time for this weekend's big rivalry game, when ASU football travels to Tucson to take on Arizona for the Territorial Cup.

"I never got to beat them at U of A, and I really hope they get the job done this week. I think they will," Gonzalez said. "I remember back in college, we'd play Saturday night, and we'd come in Sunday morning, and there'd already be the 'Hate' flag in our weight room. So it's really fun."

Gonzalez talked to a few guys on the ASU team who said there's a sideline pass waiting for him if he needs.

But ahead of that, Gonzalez is soaking in everything he can during practice with the Cardinals. Phil Dawson missed the game against the Raiders with a hip injury, so Gonzalez could be called upon. Dawson and Gonzalez both played high school football in Texas, and Gonzalez is hoping to now forge a deeper connection with the 20-year veteran.

"I can learn unlimited stuff from Phil Dawson," Gonzalez said. I've already actually talked to him about a lot of stuff as is. I idolized the guy. He's a legend. ... He's a great mentor, and I'm looking forward to picking his brain every day — probably more than he'll like — but everything about him, he's a future Hall of Famer, so it's awesome."

Injury report

On top of Larry Fitzgerald, who had a veteran's day off, six other Cardinals did not participate in Wednesday's practice: safety Budda Baker (knee), LB Deone Bucannon (chest), safety Rudy Ford (heel), OL D.J. Humphries (knee), TE John Phillips (knee) and Chad Williams (ankle).

LB Josh Bynes (wrist/hip), kicker Phil Dawson (right hip), DT Robert Nkemdiche (calf), DT Corey Peters (heel) and DT Olsen Pierre (ankle) were all limited.

OL Mike Iupati (back) and center Mason Cole (calf) were listed as a full participants.

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