Jake Bates had not kicked — attempted — a field goal since 2017 when he was in high school.
He changed that Saturday in a UFL game between the Michigan Panthers and St. Louis Battlehawks.
Did he ever.
Bates connected on a 64-yard field goal with eight seconds left to give Michigan and 18-16 victory.
64 YARDS FOR THE WIN 😱
JAKE BATES WITH A BOOT FOR @USFLPANTHERS pic.twitter.com/nx25x1PEIK
— UFL (@XFL2023) March 30, 2024
Bates was a kickoff specialist at Arkansas last year. It was his third college after going to Central Arkansas and Texas State.
He cracked the four-figure mark on Twitter after his winning kick.
Jake Bates, a kickoff specialist, hadn’t attempted a field goal since high school.
He just hit a game-winning 64-YARD field goal for the Panthers…
And he did it twice 🔥🦵 pic.twitter.com/7uL2QGEZoG
— UFL (@XFL2023) March 30, 2024
He nailed the kick twice because St. Louis called a timeout and tried to freeze him.