fbpx
Skip to main content

Longest field goal in college football history: From 2023 to Ove Johansson’s NCAA record

Longest field goal in college football history, Harrison Mevis

At a time when kickers in the NFL are showing off more power than ever before, no one at the collegiate level is coming close to kicking the longest field goal in college football history.

There were a handful of field-goal conversions from 65-plus yards in the late 1970s, with some even happening in the same month. Fast forward to the longest field goals in college football this year and the distances look very different.

Related: 10 longest field goals in NFL history

Consider that in the last five years, only four kickers have made a field-goal attempt from at least 60 yards out. While one specialist came within a few yards of the record in 2022, it seems evident the record held by Ove Johansson will be safe for a while.

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the longest field goal in college football history and the longest field goals in college football during the 2023 season.

Longest field goal in college football 2023

  1. Harrison Mevis, Missouri – 61 yards
  2. Jack Browning, San Diego State – 61 yards
  3. Jonathan Kim, Michigan State – 58 yards
  4. Triston Mattson, Central Michigan – 58 yards
  5. Griffin Kell, TCU – 57 yards
  6. Brayden Narveson, NC State – 57 ards
  7. Chase Contreraz, Iowa State – 56 yards
  8. Cam Little, Arkansas – 56 yards
  9. John Hoyland, Wyoming – 56 yards
  10. Caden Davis, Ole Miss – 56 yards

What is the longest field goal in college football 2023?

Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis hit the longest field goal in college football this season, drilling a 61-yarder at the final whistle to beat No. 15 Kansas State on September 16.

San Diego State kicker Jack Browning also converted a 61-yard field goal in October.

Longest field goal in SEC history

In 2023, Missouri Tigers kicker Harrison Mevis set the record for the longest field goal in SEC history with a 61-yard field goal to beat Kansas State.

5 longest field goals in college football history

Here are the longest field goals in college football history.

69 yards – Ove Johansson, Abilene Christian University

Abilene Christian kicker Ove Johansson kicked a 69-yard field goal on Oct. 16, 1976, recording the record for the longest field goal in NCAA history. As detailed by Pete Christy, the record-breaking attempt camp with a 17 MPH wind against East Texas State, with the natural elements helping Johansson achieve a record that no one has touched in nearly 50 years.

67 yards – Russell Erxleben, Texas Longhorns

NCAA Football: Texas at Texas Tech
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

On Oct. 1, 1977, Texas Longhorns kicker Russell Erxleben hit a 67-yard field goal against Rice. It is tied for the second-longest kick in college football history. While it was the longest field goal ever at the time, Erxleben had to share the record two weeks later. Notably, Erxleben hit a 64-yard field goal on Oct. 8, 1977.

67 yards – Steve Little, Arkansas Razorbacks

NCAA Football: Portland State at Arkansas
Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Remarkably, Erxleben would be a first-hand witness to see his previous record tied. On Oct. 15, 1977 in a matchup of Arkansas vs Texas, Razorbacks’ All-American kicker Steve Little connected on a 67-yard field goal attempt. As the ball sailed through the uprights, Little and Erxleben were the only two players to ever make a field goal from 67-plus yards in recorded history.

Related: College Football Standings

67 yards – Joe Williams, Wichita State Shockers

A year after Erxleben and Little kicked their way into the record books, Wichita State Kicker Joe Williams followed. Facing Southern Illinois on Oct. 21, 1978, Williams stood at midfield and booted his 67-yard field goal.

No college football player has made a field goal from 67-plus yards out in a regulation game since Williams’ boot in 1978. However, Purdue kicker Carson Wiggs made a 67-yard field goal in the Black & Gold spring scrimmage in 2011.

65 yards – Tony Franklin, Texas A&M Aggies and Martin Gramatica, Kansas State Wildcats

Former Texas A&M Aggies kicker Tony Franklin holds his own special place in history. He is the only player in NCAA history to convert two 60-plus-yard field goals in one game. His longest kick happened on Oct. 16, 1976, against Baylor.

Martin Gramatica is distinguished in his own way. Before being selected with the 80th pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, Kansas State’s kicker made a 65-yard field goal. What makes his mark unique is it was the longest field goal in college football history without a kicking tee.

Longest field goal in college football this year

Utah Utes

61 yards – Joshua Karty, Stanford Cardinal

NCAA Football: Oregon at Stanford
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Facing the California Golden Bears on Nov. 19 on a Saturday evening, Stanford Cardinal kicker Joshua Karty was called out to attempt the longest field goal in college football this season. the game was already decided, but Stanford sent its junior out there to add his name to the record books from 61 yards out

A three-star recruit out of North Carolina rated, Karty was the No.1. kicker in 2020 by 247 Sports. While the Cardinal offense struggled this season, Karty was literally perfect. He converted all 18 of his field-goal attempts, including three from 50-plus.

59 yards – Jake Moody, Michigan Wolverines

Syndication: Detroit Free Press
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan Wolverines kicker Jake Moody made the longest field goal in College Football Playoff history, drilling a 59-yard kick before halftime against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. Moody, who entered having made just 2-of-6 attempts from 50-plus yards out, nailed the kick to cut TCU’s lead to 21-6 in the CFB Playoff Semifinal. The 59-yarder is the second longest field goal in college football this season.

56 yards – Dominik Zvada, Arkansas State and Harrison Mevis, Missouri

NCAA Football: New Mexico State at Missouri
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Two of the longest field goals at the collegiate level this season both come with individual factors that make them more incredible.

Dominic Zvada drilled a 56-yard field goal attempt on November 19 against Texas State, getting enough on it to match for the second-longest field goal in college football this year. What stands out about Zvada is that he’s a freshman, doing something rarely seen from first-year players.

Meanwhile, Missouri Tigers kicker Harrison Mevis had one of the best performances from a specialist this season. On Oct. 1 against the Georgia Bulldogs No. 1 in the college football rankings, Mevis kept Missouri in the game with Georgia.

The 5-foot-11 junior drilled a 56-yard- field goal in the fourth quarter, providing the Tigers with a 22-9 lead. While Missouri lost the game Mevis scored 16 points, converting all five of his field-goal attempts, including two from 50-plus yards out.

Longest field goal in CFP National Championship game – 52 yards – B.T. Potter

Clemson Tigers kicker B.T. Potter kicked a 52-yard field goal in the 2020 national championship. The kick holds the record as the longest made field goal in CFP National Championship Game history.

Related: CFP National Championship live blog

Georgia Bulldogs kicker Jack Podlesny converted a 50-yard field goal against Georgia Tech on Nov. 26. It was his only make from 50-plus yards out during the 2022 season. The longest field goal ever made by Podlesny came in 2020, when he kicked a 53-yard field goal. He is 4-of-6 from 50-plus yards out in his career.

TCU Horned Frogs kicker Griffin Kell made a 54-yard field goal against Iowa State on Nov. 26. In his college career, Kell is 2-of-4 from 50-plus yards out, making 52- and 54-yard field goals.

Longest field goal in college football 2022

  • 61 – Joshua Karty, Stanford Cardinal
  • 56 – Dominic Zvada, Arkansas State Red Wolves
  • 56 – Harrison Mevis, Missouri Tigers
  • 55 – John Hoyland, Wyoming Cowboys
  • 55 – Jesus Gomez, Eastern Michigan Eagles
  • 55 – Nathaniel Vakos, Ohio Bobcats
  • 54 – Andre Szmyt, Syracuse Orange
  • 54 – Jake Moody, Michigan Wolverines
  • 54 – Noe Ruelas, Connecticut Huskies

Longest field goals in college football 2021

  1. 62 yards – Jonathan Garibay, Texas Tech Red Raiders
  2. 60 yards – Everett Hayes, Oregon State Beavers
  3. 57 yards – Lucas Havrisik, Arizona Wildcats
  4. 56 yards – Gabe Brkic, Oklahoma Sooners
    • Jonathan Cruz (Charlotte 49ers), Cole Becker (Colorado Buffaloes), Cade York (Louisiana State Tigers), Harrison Mevis (Missouri)

Longest field goal in college football FAQ

What is the longest field goal in SEC history?

The longest field goal in SEC history is 60 yards, accomplished by Fuad Reveiz in 1982 (Tennessee Volunteers), Kevin Butler in 1984 (Georgia Bulldogs) and Chris Perkins (Florida Gators).

Is it possible to kick a 70 yard geld goal?

No one in college football history has ever made a 70 yard field goal. The longest field goal in college football history was 69 yards.

What is the longest field goal in Michigan history?

Jake Moody holds the Michigan record for the longest made field goal in Wolverines history at 59 yards. It beat the previous record of 57 yards, accomplished by Quinn Nordin and Hayden Epstein.

Mentioned in this article:

More About: