UFL kicker Matt McCrane achieved an incredible milestone with a 60-yard, 4-point field goal, potentially reshaping the future of football and influencing the game at the NFL level
18:24 ET, 28 Mar 2026
DC Defenders kicker Matt McCrane kicks a historic field goal
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DC Defenders kicker Matt McCrane kicked the UFL's first-ever four-point field goal
Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little may have kicked the longest field goal in NFL history, former New England Patriots star Adam Vinatieri holds the record for the most career field goals, and Justin Tucker holds the highest field goal percentage in the league.
Yet, a kicker in the United Football League (UFL) accomplished a feat that is impossible by today's NFL standards. An NFL field goal has been worth three points since 1909, while UFL kicks beyond 60 years earn the additional point.
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DC Defenders kicker Matt McCrane made history after drilling a 60-yard field goal that counted for four points against the St. Louis Battlehawks, which became the first ever recorded in league history.
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The 4th-and-14 first-quarter kick gave DC a 4-0 lead for the first points on the scoreboard. Meanwhile, the NFL's heaviest player was cut by the Defenders just one week after a draft gamble.
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The rest of the game proved that McCrane's historic achievement wasn't enough to get his team over the hump. Despite the team adding a rushing touchdown from Deon Jackson to go up 10-3, it failed on the two-point conversion attempt.
From there, St. Louis virtually controlled the game. They put up 236 total yards to DC’s 153, 34 minutes of possession to just over 25, and a clean turnover sheet compared to DC’s two giveaways.
The Battlehawks chipped away and took the lead in the third quarter on a Brandon Silvers touchdown pass, and never gave it back. Their kicker Tucker McCann hit all three of his field goals, including a 58-yarder that just missed four-point territory.
Defenders Kicker Matt McCrane drills a field goal
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McCrane had NFL stints with 3 teams
McCrane already had a reputation as a reliable long-range kicker, dating back to his college career at Kansas State, where he ranked among the most accurate kickers in NCAA history at 86.4 percent.
He went a perfect 5-for-5 in the postseason last year, successfully drilled kicks past 50 yards, and had a 70.0 accuracy that was fourth in the UFL for kickers with at least 20 attempts.
McCrane's pro journey included three one-year NFL stints with the Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He made all six of his NFL field goal attempts inside of 30 yards, but missed both attempts beyond 50 yards.
Matt McCrane kicks into the ground as a member of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders
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McCrane missed both of his NFL attempts 50+ yards
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The NFL addresses and votes on new rule changes during the Annual League Meeting in late March. One of the biggest talking points is the conversation about changing the NFL's draft pick rules for rookies.
Recent talks have addressed other urgent issues, including the league's Tush Push play, instant-replay concerns, and its onside-kick proposal.
US President Donald Trump continues to bash the NFL after the league changed its kickoff rules following the meeting in 2204. His last complaint came before the Seattle Seahawks won the NFC Championship and later Super Bowl LIX.