College football team wins game on obscure rule that was just brought back after 76 years
John Hopkins defeated Muhlenberg on Halloween on a resurrected college football rule.Blue Jays sophomore kicker Kaleb Wayt pulled off a 39-yard fair catch free kick in the game’s final two seconds to secure a narrow 31-28 Division III win over the Mules.Wayt got protected by a rule that prevents the defense from rushing a field-goal attempt after a completed or awarded fair catch. Since Wayt’s kick was taken directly from the spot of the fair catch, the defense had to line up 10 yards away, and the kicker is allowed to use a holder without a tee or attempt a dropkick.This style of game-winner comes from a rule that goes all the way back to 1876, according to Football Archaeology.The rugby-inspired play predates the concept of the forward pass.College football went away from the fair catch in 1950.
Coaches advocated for its return the following year to protect punt returners, although the accompanying free kick wasn’t in their request.The fair catch returned in 1951, while the fair catch free kick waited until this season to return after a 76-year hiatus.Until this Saturday’s matchup, the last game in which a successful free kick occurred was Marquette’s 1939 victory over Michigan State.Wayt’s kick seems to be college football’s first game-winning fair catch free kick of the season — but it wasn’t the first try.
On Sept.12, with one second left before halftime, Montclair State’s Brendan McGonigle attempted a 40-yarder at Lycoming after a fair catch, but missed.The NFL saw a successful attempt back in December 2024 when Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made a 57-yarder against the Denver Broncos.
Dicker’s kick became the longest successful attempt in league history and the first made since 1976.The fair catch free kick helped John Hopkins survive after almost giving the game away.The Blue Jays surrendered a 28-13 fourth-quarter lead before senior punter Chase Alley went on to deliver a 56-yard punt to the Mules’ 2-yard line with ...