Former Arkansas kicker Jake Bates made his first field goal since high school as a member of the UFL. Lucky for him, the attempt also made history.
The Michigan Panthers kicker nailed a mind-boggling 64-yard kick to lift his team over the St. Louis Battlehawks, 18-16, on Saturday at Ford Field, making UFL history on its first day of gameday operation.
Bates joins elite company. Only two kickers in NFL history have ever hit an attempt from 64 yards or more: Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (66 yards, 2021, also at Ford Field) and former Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater (64 yards, 2013).
It was also the second of two attempts made from 64 yards out for Bates, who got iced on his first attempt and still made the game-winning kick from that far out, per CBS Sports’ John Breech.
The two longest game-winning field goals in both NFL & UFL history were made at Ford Field…
One by NFL legend @jtuck9 for 66 yards, the other a 64-yarder by @jakebates30 who just kicked his first field goal since high school 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/8f0S5PHh6s
— UFL (@XFL2023) March 31, 2024
There have only been 2 field goals of 64 yards or more in ALL OF NFL HISTORY.
The UFL has existed for 2 games and we already have one!
• Jake Bates hits from 64,prob good from 70
• He made it TWICE (STL called a timeout)
• His 1st FG since HIGH SCHOOLpic.twitter.com/kV2YV9VE58— John Breech (@johnbreech) March 31, 2024
We’re guessing Bates is going to get a call up to the NFL pretty soon, as he’s already accomplished something few kickers ever have in professional football. Not bad for your first make since high school.
