Jake Bates played three seasons in college football as a kicker, but was only used for kickoffs.
In other words, even as a kicker, he never attempted an extra point or field goal in college.
So, unsurprisingly, he made a 64-yard field goal with two seconds left to give the UFL’s Michigan Panthers an 18-16 victory over the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday.
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Jake Bates (right) of the Michigan Panthers kicks a 64-yard field goal to defeat the St. Louis Battlehawks 18-16 at Ford Field in Detroit on March 30, 2024. (Luke Hales/UFL/Getty Images)
Bates started out as a soccer player, earning first-team all-district selection while attending Tomball High School in Texas, which he parlayed into two seasons of soccer at Central Arkansas.
However, he switched to football in 2020 after transferring to Texas State University. After two years there, he transferred again to the University of Arkansas, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors as a “kickoff specialist” in 2022, according to the Razorbacks’ website.
Bates signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2023, but was unable to make the team out of training camp after scoring two extra points in the preseason. He signed with the UFL just before the end of the year.
And on his first field goal attempt since high school, ice entered his veins.
Jake Bates of the Michigan Panthers celebrates after kicking a 64-yard field goal to defeat the St. Louis BattleHawks 18-16 at Ford Field in Detroit on March 30, 2024. (Luke Hales/UFL/Getty Images)
The Panthers were trailing 16-15 when Bates came on for a 64-yard run.
St. Louis scored a touchdown and took the lead with a one-point conversion with 49 seconds left, and Michigan had no timeouts.
But that was plenty of time for Bates and the Panthers.
“I was preparing for this moment. I was ready,” Bates said. He spoke to FOX after the game.. “If you have strong faith in your people, nothing is impossible with God. God is risen. Easter weekend, it feels really special.”
Jake Bates of the Michigan Panthers celebrates with fans after kicking a 64-yard field goal to defeat the St. Louis Battlehawks, 18-16, at Ford Field in Detroit on March 30, 2024. (Luke Hales/UFL/Getty Images)
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The Battlehawks called a final timeout, giving the kicker a warm-up attempt and attempting to ice Bates. Bates trained it and had a significant training shortly thereafter.
The game was held at Ford Field, home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
