October 9, 2011

Nick Novak was the difference Sunday when the San Diego Chargers (4-1) edged Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos 29-25, kicking five field goals in the victory.

With 24 seconds on the clock, the former Albemarle Patriot hit a 35-yarder for a 29-24 advantage. Earlier in the game, Novak hit from 24, 32, 28, and a career-high 51. Novak is now 11-for-11 in field goal attempts this season.

His pair of fourth quarter field goals helped hold off the Denver's comeback effort after the Broncos score 14 points in the final period.

Earlier this season Novak told ESPN he's excited to be contributing to the team. "I feel like I've prepared to kick well for the last three years," Novak said. "I just think it was a maturation process and I just really, feels great now to kind of actualize my dream and to be successful."

The Chargers signed Novak in September after kicker Nate Kaeding tore his ACL as he attempted to make a tackle during the season’s opening kickoff.

Prior to this season, Novak had not appeared in an NFL game in over two years when he made six of 10 attempts for the Kansas City Chiefs. He had also played for the Washington Redskins (2005, 2006) and Arizona Cardinals (2005).