Sure the 35-yard field goal would give the Gophers a victory over border rival Wisconsin and its first nine-wine season since 1905. But Gopher kicker/punter Rhys Lloyd had added incentive.

“Coach [Glen Mason] told me that if I made the kick, the whole team was going to love me because we were going to have pizza for supper,” Lloyd said. “And I said, ‘As long as there’s extra.’”

The 21-year-old, Recreation, Parks and Leisure major came to Apple Valley, MN from Dover, England in 1997 after his dad got a job as a professional soccer coach. He was a two-time All American at Rochester Community Technical College and transferred to the University last year. Lloyd, or Winston Churchill, the name Mason gave him last year after he couldn’t remember Lloyd’s name at practice, grew up playing soccer, golf and rugby. So don’t be quick to label him the stereotypical “kicker”.

“My style is more soccer based and I don’t tend to worry about certain steps. I just kick it when I’m comfortable,” he said. “I can work more with the ball than most kickers.”

Lloyd said his number one goal is to make it into the NFL and has a senior year to keep proving himself. All of his accomplishments and goals come despite not touching a football until the age of 16.

Lloyd realizes there will be many big kicks to come and he’s up to the challenge. Just as long as his coach keeps providing supper.