12 Game Winning Field Goal Performances

Andre Heidari Game WinnerNo, it’s not the twelve days of Christmas just yet, but you might be singing the familiar carol after this. 

We have 12 game winning field goal performances (unless I’m missing any) for you to remind yourself just WHY the kicker is so important in this sport.  KICKERS WIN GAMES in a way that no other position has to (and most don’t want to honestly….I’ve asked several through the years).

I’m sure there are many performances worth noting (like Auburn’s kicker pounding kickoffs through the end zone over and over against UGA, no return points there).  However, let’s just stick with points on the board for now.

Just yesterday we wrote about the ‘scratch golfer’ KSU kicker who kicked a game winning field goal to cap off a 4 field goal day.  As I mentioned, Jack Cantele’s kick with 3 seconds on the clock erased what ‘would have been’ a 56 yard game winner by TCU’s kicker, Jaden Oberkrom with only 2 minutes to play.  What an fun game to watch if you are a kicker!

Note:  With all the rush to get that post out, I realize today that the post was accidentally ‘protected’ so our apologies for inviting non-members to read a ‘Member’s Only’ screen, our mistake.  If you’d like to read that quick post now, here is the link:  Scratch Golfer Would Rather Kick

It turns out that Jack was one of MANY heroes over the collegiate weekend.  I wasn’t sure how many last minute type field goals actually took place, but it felt like a bunch so I had to sit down and review.

I’ve compiled a quick list if any of you felt that you kept hearing ‘game winner’ over and over like I did.  Not all of these are technically ‘last second’ efforts, but they were all performances with noting in their team’s victories.

I can tell you one thing, lots of coaches and programs this morning who are thankful their kickers have ice water in the veins.

Great job guys, and if we missed anyone, please let me know…I’ll update the list!

  1. Jack Cantele (Kansas State): 41 yard field goal to beat TCU
  2. Andre Heidari (USC): 47 yard field goal to beat Standford
  3. Ray Early (Furman): 6 field goals in one game to beat Western Carolina
  4. Christian Parr (Black Hills State): 34 yard 4th quarter field goal to beat Fort Lewis College
  5. Warren Handrahan (Samford): 43 yard field goal in overtime to beat Chattanooga
  6. Jacob Hardy (Kalamazoo): 19 yard field goal with five seconds on the clock to beat Olivet College
  7. Tyler Stolen (Buena Vista): 25 yard field goal, less than a minute on the clock to beat Dubuque
  8. Alex Ball (Lamar): 41 yard field goal at 00:15 to beat Stephen F. Austin
  9. Logan Beck (Adams State): 39 yard field goal at 00:05 to beat Colorado Mesa
  10. Shawn Moffitt (Central Florida): 24 yard field goal as time expired to beat Temple
  11. Jake Elliot (Memphis): 56 yard field goal to beat South Florida (school record)
  12. Ramsey Riehl (Lakeland College): 28 yard field goal to beat Benedictine (as time expired)