The Unmatched Heights: A Chronicle of the Longest Field Goals in NCAA History

The pursuit of gridiron glory is often measured in touchdowns, but the art of the field goal holds its own unique allure. This article delves into the annals of NCAA football to celebrate the longest field goals ever recorded, exploring the remarkable stories and circumstances surrounding these extraordinary feats of athleticism and precision.

Defining the Field Goal

Before diving into the record books, it's important to understand the basics of a field goal. A field goal (FG) is a method of scoring in gridiron football. To score a field goal, the team in possession of the ball must place kick, or drop kick, the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights and over the crossbar. The entire ball must pass through the vertical plane of the goal, which is the area above the crossbar and between the uprights or, if above the uprights, between their outside edges. American football requires that a field goal must only come during a play from scrimmage (except in the case of a fair catch kick).

The goal structure consists of a horizontal crossbar suspended 10 feet (3.0 m) above the ground, with two vertical goalposts 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 m) apart extending vertically from each end of the crossbar.

If a team scores a field goal, they kickoff to return possession of the ball to the opposing team. In the waning moments of the second half, if a successful kick will win or tie the game. In overtime, if a successful field goal wins and ends the game, a team may choose to attempt a game-winning kick as soon as they get into field goal range (for example, a long pass completion that advances the ball inside the opponent's 20-yard line).

Except in desperate situations, a team will generally attempt field goals only when keeping a drive alive is unlikely, and its kicker has a significant chance of success, as a missed field goal results in a turnover at the spot of the kick (in the NFL) or at the line of scrimmage (in the NCAA).

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If a team chooses not to attempt a field goal on their last down, they can punt to the other team.

The Reigning Champion: Ove Johansson's 69-Yard Bomb

The gold standard for field goal distance in NCAA history belongs to Ove Johansson of Abilene Christian University. On October 16, 1976, Johansson etched his name into the record books with a monumental 69-yard field goal against East Texas State. This record remains unbroken, a testament to Johansson's skill and the favorable conditions that day.

The Setting: Abilene, Texas, 1976

Fall was upon them in Abilene, Texas. Overcast skies and the crisp 58-degree air resembled the breath of a peppermint. Homecoming weekend brought the crowd on Oct. 16, 1976 to Abilene Christian University and Shotwell Stadium. The stands were brimming with students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni. They knew one record would be broken that day. Wilbert Montgomery was a touchdown shy of surpassing fellow Mississippi native Walter Payton's career collegiate touchdown record (63).

The Perfect Storm: Wind and Opportunity

Johansson was aided by a strong wind at his back, measured at 17 miles per hour with a 12 miles per hour tailwind. In fact, it was such a windy day across Texas that on that same day in 1976, Texas A&M’s Tony Franklin hit both a 65-yard field goal. Johansson also had the benefit that in those days, college football holders could place the ball on a tee for field goals, which elevated the ball and promoted longer kicks.

Two of Johansson's pregame warm-up kicks had sailed through the uprights from 70 yards, and his confidence was high. However, just minutes before the Wildcats' special teams took the field, Texas A&M's Tony Franklin had nailed a 65-yard field goal, momentarily claiming the record. Johansson felt the pressure but welcomed it. "It was exciting to get on that field knowing if I make this field goal then I will do something that no one has ever done in the sport," Johansson reflected years later.

From Abilene's 41-yard line, Johansson struck the ball with a force that some likened to a shotgun blast. The kick was so precise and powerful that officials believed it would have been good from 75 yards.

A Journey of Love and Kismet

Johansson's journey to that historic kick was as remarkable as the record itself. Born and raised in Sweden, he grew up playing soccer, dreaming of making it big in Europe. That dream brought him to Irving, Texas, where he played for a European club team.

It was during a soccer game that Johansson met his future wife, April, in the stands. With just 24 words of English in his vocabulary, he managed to ask for her phone number during halftime. The pair began dating, and when April later enrolled at Abilene Christian, Johansson followed, sacrificing his soccer scholarship to be near her.

Abilene Christian didn't have a men's soccer team, so Johansson decided to try out for football. Despite the team already having two kickers, Coach Wally Bullington gave Johansson a shot. His first kick cleared the uprights and a chain-link fence beyond.

Johansson died unexpectedly Sept. 30, 2023. He enjoyed 47 years of marriage to April, the woman he fell in love with at the soccer game - the same woman he sacrificed his soccer dream for. The Swede mentored local high school football kickers in his off time and spent Saturday mornings channeling his childhood self through the television. Viewing the 110-yard field with soccer goalposts on opposite ends through the LED-lit box, he would remember the 1958 FIFA World Cup. He was supposed to attend the every-four-year event in his hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden that year.

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The Legacy of a Legend

On October 16, 1976, in Abilene, Texas, a moment unfolded that would etch Ove Johansson's name in college football history. With a 17-mile-per-hour wind at his back, Johansson kicked a 69-yard field goal during a homecoming game against East Texas State, setting a record that still stands as the longest in NCAA history.

The Runners-Up: A Chronicle of Gridiron Greatness

While Johansson's kick stands alone at the summit, several other collegiate kickers have achieved remarkable distances. Here's a look at some of the longest field goals in NCAA FBS history, as recognized by the NCAA record book:

T-1. 67 Yards, Russell Erxleben, Texas, 1977: In less than a month, Texas rocketed from being unranked in the preseason to No. 8. The Longhorns had little trouble with Rice in their Southwest Conference opener, dispatching the Owls 72-15 as Erxleben unleashed a kick coach Fred Akers compared to a gunshot. The New Orleans Saints drafted Erxleben 11th in the 1979 draft. He spent six years in the NFL, primarily as a punter, and later served a pair of prison terms for white-collar crimes.
T-1. 67 Yards, Steve Little, Arkansas, 1977: Two weeks after beating Rice, Texas-now No. 2-headed up to Fayetteville, Ark. to meet No. 8 Arkansas. The Longhorns could only watch in horror as Little dropped in a 67-yard field goal during a 13-9 Texas victory. Like Erxleben, Little was a first-round draft pick, going 15th in 1978. His career was cut tragically short, however; a car accident rendered him a quadripalegic in 1980 and he died in 1999.
T-1. 67 Yards, Joe Williams, Wichita State, 1978: An otherwise ordinary Missouri Valley Conference game became extraordinary when Williams booted a 67-yard field goal in Wichita State's 33-7 win over Southern Illinois; this is the most recent 67-yard field goal at the FBS level to date. The Shockers abandoned football after the 1986 season, but Williams returned to campus to attempt another 67-yard field goal in 2008 (he was unsuccessful).
T-4. 65 Yards, Tony Franklin, Texas A&M, 1976: Was there something in the water in that era's SWC? Texas A&M shut out Baylor 24-0 for its first conference win of the season thanks to Franklin's heroics. A 10-year NFL career awaited Franklin, including a Pro Bowl appearance after a 1986 season where he led the league in scoring with the New England Patriots.
T-4. 65 Yards, Martin Gramatica, Kansas State, 1998: For the No. 5 team in the country, Gramatica drained the longest recognized kick without a tee and the longest recognized kick with the goal posts at their current width (18 feet and six inches). Kansas State smashed Northern Illinois 73-7, and only an upset loss to Texas A&M in the Big 12 championship ended the Wildcats' drive for a national title. The Buenos Aires native walked away from football with a Super Bowl ring and a Pro Bowl selection, both with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
T-6. 64 Yards, Russell Erxleben, Texas, 1977: Remember him? Erxleben eagerly proved his kick against Rice was no fluke just a week later, helping No. 5 Texas down No. 2 Oklahoma 13-6 in the Red River Showdown.
T-6. 64 Yards, Tony Franklin, Texas A&M, 1976: It's not just that Franklin hit a second 60-yard field goal over the course of his career. It's not just that he hit a second one in the 1976 season. Nope-Franklin hit a 65-yard field goal and a 64-yard field goal over the course of one glorious afternoon.
T-6. 64 Yards, Jose Martinez, UTEP, 2008: Why not take advantage of a day where everything's going right? That's what UTEP did against UCF in Conference USA action, lining up the longest field goal of the 21st century for Martinez to extend their lead from 24-7 to 27-7 at the intermission of an eventual 58-13 win. Martinez, a San Jose native, apparently returned to the Bay Area to spend time with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the old United Football League.
T-9. 63 Yards, Morten Andersen, Michigan State, 1981: You may have heard of this guy, but few had when the Copenhagen native started at Michigan State in 1978. From a 7-for-16 showing his freshman year, Andersen gradually became one of college football's best kickers and nailed this conference-record bomb in a 27-13 loss to No. 8 Ohio State. Andersen is one of two kickers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, having spent 25 years with five teams and played his final game at the age of 47.
T-9. 63 Yards, Clark Kemble, Colorado State, 1975: Fort Collins, Colo. is 5,000 feet above sea level. There's your context (Just kidding! Colorado State lost its second-to-last game of the 1975 season 31-9 to No.

Factors Influencing Field Goal Distance

Several factors contribute to the distance a kicker can achieve on a field goal attempt:

Kicker's Skill and Technique: A kicker's leg strength, accuracy, and technique are paramount. The "soccer-style" kicking technique, introduced by Pete Gogolak in the 1960s, revolutionized the game by allowing kickers to generate more power and distance.
Weather Conditions: Wind direction and speed play a significant role. A tailwind can add considerable distance, while a headwind can severely limit the kick's range. Temperature also affects the ball's flight, as colder temperatures can reduce its elasticity.
Altitude: Kicking at higher altitudes can result in greater distance due to the thinner air, which reduces air resistance.
The Use of a Tee: Until the 1989 ban on placekicking from tees, the use of a small tee provided a slight elevation, aiding in distance and accuracy.
The Holder and Snap: A clean snap and precise hold are crucial for a successful kick. A split-second mistake can disrupt the entire attempt.
Goalpost dimensions: Additionally, prior to 1991, the goal posts were 23 feet, 4 inches. After the 1988 season, the use of a kicking tee was banned.

The Evolution of Field Goal Strategy

The strategy surrounding field goal attempts has evolved considerably over the years. In the early days of football, kicking was emphasized. In 1883, the scoring system was devised with field goals counting for five points, touchdowns two points, and conversions four points. In the following year touchdowns doubled in value to four, and rose to five in 1898. Meanwhile, the value of a conversion fell to two points in 1884 and one point in 1898. Field goals were devalued to four points in 1904, and then to the modern three points in 1909.

The spot of the conversion has also changed through the years. In 1924, NCAA rules spotted the conversion at the 3-yard line, before moving it back to the 5-yard line in 1925. In 1929, the spot was moved up to the 2-yard line, matching the NFL. In 1968, the NCAA diverged from the NFL rules and moved the spot back to the original 3-yard line. In 2015, to make conversion kicks harder, the NFL and CFL moved the line of scrimmage for conversion kicks to the 15- and 25-yard lines, respectively.

The goalposts were originally located on the goal line; this led to many injuries and sometimes interfered with play. The NCAA moved the goal posts to the rear of the end zone in 1927. The NFL (still following NCAA rules at the time) followed suit, but moved the posts back to the goal line starting in the 1932 NFL Playoff Game, a change made necessary by the size of the indoor Chicago Stadium and kept when the NFL rules stopped mirroring the NCAA rules in 1933. The NFL kept the goal posts at the goal line until 1974, when they were moved back to the rear of the end zone, where they have remained since. This was partly a result of the narrowed hashmark distance made in 1972 (making them the same width as the goalposts), which had made for easier field-goal angles.

The width of the goalposts and the hashmarks have also varied throughout the years. In 1959, the NCAA goalposts were widened to 23 feet 4 inches (7.11 m), the standard width for high school posts today. In 1991, the college goalposts were reduced in width to 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m), matching the NFL. For the 1991 and 1992 seasons, this meant potentially severe angles for short field goal attempts, since the hashmark width remained at 53 ft 4 in (16.26 m). In 1993, the NCAA narrowed the distance between the hashmarks to 40 ft (12.19 m), matching the width of hashmarks in the NFL from 1945 through 1971; as mentioned above, the NFL narrowed the hashmarks in 1972 to goalpost width at 18.5 feet (5.64 m). Canadian hash marks in amateur play are 51 feet (16 m) apart, 24 yards from each sideline.

The NFL increased the height of the uprights above the crossbar to 20 feet (6.10 m) in 1966 and 30 feet (9.14 m) in 1974.

The "slingshot" goalpost, having a single post curving 90° up from the ground to support the crossbar, was invented by Jim Trimble and Joel Rottman in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The first ones were built by Alcan and displayed at the Expo 67 world's fair in Montreal. The NFL had standardized its goalposts in 1966 and adopted the slingshot for the 1967 season. The NCAA subsequently adopted the same rule, but later allowed the use of "offset" goalposts with the older two-post base. The CFL was the first league to use the slingshot goalposts. They debuted in the 2nd game of the CFL's Eastern Conference final in 1966 at Montreal's Autostade because Landsdowne Park (now TD Place Stadium), the home of Ottawa Rough Riders, was undergoing renovations. They were also used in the Grey Cup the next week at Vancouver's Empire Stadium. Three schools in Division I FBS currently use dual-support posts: Florida State, LSU, and Washington State. Goalposts at the professional level today are sometimes equipped with a video camera mounted to the stanchion immediately behind the center of the crossbar.

A small plastic tee, which can be 1 to 2 inches (25-51 mm) high (smaller than the kickoff tee), may be used for field goals and extra points in some leagues, including US high schools and Canadian amateur play.

Coaches now carefully consider factors such as field position, game situation, and the kicker's range when deciding whether to attempt a field goal. Analytics have also played an increasing role, with teams weighing the probability of success against the potential reward.

Beyond the NCAA: A Glimpse at Other Long-Distance Kicks

While this article focuses on NCAA records, it's worth noting some remarkable long-distance kicks in other football leagues:

NFL: The longest field goal kick in NFL history is 68 yards, a record set by Cam Little on 2 November 2025, which broke the record previously held by Justin Tucker (2021) at 66 yards. Cam Little kicked a 70-yard field goal in a preseason game in 2025.
CFL: The record in the CFL is 63 yards, set by Sergio Castillo on August 9, 2025, tying a 24-year-old record by Paul McCallum, which was believed for years to have been 62 yards, though evidence confirmed McCallum's kick was actually closer to 63 yards.
USFL: 64 yards, Jake Bates, Michigan Panthers
High School: High school, college and most professional football leagues offer only a three-point field goal; however, some professional leagues have encouraged more rare kicks through four-point field goals.

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