Illinois football kicker hits longest field goal in school history
Illinois kicker Ethan Moczulski made the most of his first career college field goal attempt. The sophomore kickoff specialist set a school record with a 59-yard field goal Saturday in a game against Central Michigan.
The kick, which cleared the uprights by multiple yards, put the Fighting Illini ahead 13-6 at halftime of their college football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.
Follow along with this game here with live updates from Illinois vs. Central Michigan.
The 59-yard kick surpasses the previous record of 57 yards last James McCourt in a 2019 game against Eastern Michigan. Dan Beaver also made a 57-yarder in 1975, against Purdue.
Take a look at the kick below:
That return man won't be necessary, CMU.@IlliniFootball's Ethan Moczulski nails the 5️⃣9️⃣-yard FG as time expires in the first half.#B1GFootball on Peacock 💻 pic.twitter.com/qZAGqfjput
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 14, 2024
Why is Illinois on Peacock? Time, TV schedule for Illini vs Central Michigan on Peacock
Who is Ethan Moczulski?
The sophomore is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound kicker who transferred to Illinois this summer from Texas A&M. The Fighting Illini kickoff specialist had no career collegiate field goal attempts before his record-setting kick on Saturday.
The Washington state native from Mead (Wash.) Mount Spokane entered college in 2022 as the top-rated kicking prospect in the country, according to 247.com.
Who is the Illinois kicker?
Sophomore David Olano is the usual kicker for the Illinois football team. The Naperville native entered the game against Central Michigan 4-for-4 on field goals. He made a 49-yard field goal in the first half and added a 34-yarder in the second half.
Illinois football field goal record
Here are the longest field goals in Illinois football history, according to the school. Full list here.
59 yards: Ethan Moczulski vs. Central Michigan, Sept. 14, 2024
57 yards: James McCourt vs. Eastern Michigan, Sept. 14, 2019
57 yards: Dan Beaver vs. Purdue, Oct. 18, 1975
55 yards: Doug Higgins vs. Michigan State, Oct. 20, 1990
54 yards: Chase McLaughlin vs. Western Illinois, Sept. 8, 2018
54 yards: Taylor Zalewski vs. Purdue, Nov. 17, 2012
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois football field goal record: Fighting Illini kicker sets school record
