College Field Goal Record History: A Comprehensive Overview
Since 1909, the three-point field goal has been a constant in American football. Iconic games often feature memorable field goals, both successful and missed. While distance isn't everything, some field goals stand out for their remarkable length. Cracking the 60-yard barrier in college football is rare, especially since the 1989 ban on using tees for placekicking. This article explores the history of college field goal records, highlighting some of the longest and most memorable kicks in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
The Evolution of Field Goal Rules and Techniques
The history of field goals is intertwined with the evolution of football itself. In the early days, kicking was emphasized, and the scoring system reflected this. In 1883, field goals were worth five points, while touchdowns were only worth two. Over time, the point values shifted, with touchdowns increasing in value and field goals decreasing. In 1909, field goals were standardized at three points, the value we know today.
The placement of the goalposts has also changed significantly. Originally located on the goal line, they were moved to the rear of the end zone in 1927 by the NCAA, and later by the NFL in 1974. This change was partly due to the narrowing of the hash marks, which made for easier field goal angles. The width of the goalposts has also varied, with the current dimensions set at 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 m) in both college and the NFL since 1991.
Early placekickers approached the ball straight on, using their toe to make contact. However, in the 1960s, Hungarian-born Pete Gogolak introduced the "soccer-style" kicking technique, approaching the ball at an angle and kicking it with the instep. This technique allowed for greater distance and quickly became the standard.
The Anatomy of a Field Goal Attempt
A field goal is a means of scoring in gridiron football. To score, the team in possession of the ball must place kick or drop kick the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights and over the crossbar. Consequently, a field goal cannot be scored from a punt, as the ball must touch the ground at one point after the snap and before it is kicked in order to be a valid field goal. The entire ball must pass through the vertical plane of the goal, which is the area above the crossbar and between the uprights or, if above the uprights, between their outside edges. American football requires that a field goal must only come during a play from scrimmage (except in the case of a fair catch kick) while Canadian football retains open field kicks and thus field goals may be scored at any time from anywhere on the field and by any player.
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When a team decides to attempt a field goal, it lines up in a tight formation, with the placekicker and holder positioned behind the line of scrimmage. The holder receives the snap and places the ball vertically on the ground, with the kicker approaching to strike the ball. The measurement of a field goal's distance is from the goalpost to the point where the ball was positioned for the kick by the holder.
Longest Field Goals in College Football History
Here are some of the longest field goals at the FBS level as recognized by the NCAA record book:
T-1. 67 Yards, Russell Erxleben, Texas, 1977: In a game against Rice, Erxleben unleashed a kick that helped propel Texas to a 72-15 victory. Coach Fred Akers described the kick as sounding like a gunshot.
- Impact: Erxleben was drafted 11th overall by the New Orleans Saints in 1979. He spent six years in the NFL, primarily as a punter, and later faced legal troubles.
T-1. 67 Yards, Steve Little, Arkansas, 1977: Just two weeks after Erxleben's kick, Little matched the record in a game against Texas. His impressive kick contributed to a 13-9 Arkansas victory.
- Impact: Little was also a first-round draft pick, going 15th overall in 1978. Tragically, his career was cut short by a car accident in 1980, and he passed away in 1999.
T-1. 67 Yards, Joe Williams, Wichita State, 1978: During an otherwise ordinary Missouri Valley Conference game, Williams booted a 67-yard field goal in Wichita State's 33-7 win over Southern Illinois. This is the most recent 67-yard field goal at the FBS level to date.
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- Impact: Wichita State discontinued its football program after the 1986 season. In 2008, Williams returned to campus to attempt another 67-yard field goal, but was unsuccessful.
T-4. 65 Yards, Tony Franklin, Texas A&M, 1976: Franklin's heroics helped Texas A&M shut out Baylor 24-0 for its first conference win of the season.
- Impact: Franklin went on to have a 10-year NFL career, earning a Pro Bowl appearance in 1986 with the New England Patriots.
T-4. 65 Yards, Martin Gramatica, Kansas State, 1998: Gramatica's kick was the longest recognized kick without a tee and the longest recognized kick with the goal posts at their current width. It came during a 73-7 victory over Northern Illinois.
- Impact: The Buenos Aires native enjoyed a successful NFL career, winning a Super Bowl ring and earning a Pro Bowl selection with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
T-6. 64 Yards, Russell Erxleben, Texas, 1977: Erxleben proved his earlier kick was no fluke by hitting another long field goal just a week later in a game against Oklahoma.
- Impact: See above.
T-6. 64 Yards, Tony Franklin, Texas A&M, 1976: Franklin had an incredible day, hitting both a 65-yard and a 64-yard field goal in the same game.
- Impact: See above.
T-6. 64 Yards, Jose Martinez, UTEP, 2008: Martinez capitalized on a strong performance by kicking the longest field goal of the 21st century during a game against UCF.
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- Impact: Martinez later played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League.
T-9. 63 Yards, Morten Andersen, Michigan State, 1981: Andersen, a Copenhagen native, gradually developed into one of college football's best kickers, nailing this conference-record bomb in a loss to Ohio State.
- Impact: Andersen is one of two kickers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, having spent 25 years in the NFL with five different teams.
T-9. 63 Yards, Clark Kemble, Colorado State, 1975: Kemble's long kick came in a loss to Abilene Christian.
Other Notable Field Goal Achievements
While the above list focuses on sheer distance, other field goal achievements are worth noting:
- Wilbert Montgomery and Ove Johansson, Abilene Christian University, 1976: Johansson had only kicked four collegiate field goals before that game. Growing up in Sweden, the majority of his life was spent on a soccer pitch. April was enrolled at Abilene Christian and Johansson sacrificed his athletic scholarship to follow suit. The Wildcats did not have a men's soccer team, so in order to stay in Abilene, he had to try out for the football team.
The Strategic Importance of Field Goals
Field goals are a crucial element of football strategy. Teams typically attempt field goals when keeping a drive alive is unlikely and their kicker has a good chance of success. A missed field goal can result in a turnover at the spot of the kick, so the decision to attempt a field goal is often a calculated risk.
In the waning moments of a game, a successful field goal can win or tie the score. In overtime, teams may attempt a game-winning kick as soon as they get into field goal range.
Field Goal Oddities and Rule Variations
Several variations and oddities exist regarding field goals:
- Fair Catch Kick: A field goal can be attempted from a fair catch, although this is extremely rare.
- Four-Point Field Goals: Some professional leagues have experimented with four-point field goals for kicks of 50 yards or more.
- Missed Field Goal Returns: In some leagues, a missed field goal can be returned by the defense, similar to a punt or kickoff.
- Goalpost Contact: If a ball caroms off a goal post or crossbar but lands in the field of play, the ball is considered dead and cannot be returned. However, if the ball continues into the goal after caroming, the score counts.
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