Johns Hopkins Uses Fair Catch Kick Rule to Beat Muhlenberg

Johns Hopkins defeated Muhlenberg 31-28 on Saturday at Baltimore. The Blue Jays won the game with a 39-yard field goal on a fair catch kick. Kaleb Wayt made the successful attempt with two seconds remaining on the clock.

The scoring play relied on a specific rule adopted for college football before this season. When a receiving team secures a fair catch, it may attempt a field goal from that exact spot on the next play. The opposing defense is not allowed to rush the kicker. The ball is placed at the line of scrimmage, and the kicker can take a longer run-up than is standard for a traditional field goal.

This type of play is rare in professional football but has appeared in the NFL from long distances. The rule allows a team to attempt the kick even if the clock reads zero when the fair catch is made. It serves as a last-resort offensive option when time is nearly gone.

The sequence began with the score tied at 28. Muhlenberg had possession with 18 seconds left on the clock. The Mules faced a fourth down from their own two-yard line. Johns Hopkins had two timeouts remaining. A Muhlenberg player's helmet detached during a play, which stopped the clock again. This forced Muhlenberg to punt the ball away.

Johns Hopkins player Alex Orecchio secured a fair catch on a short punt at the Muhlenberg 29-yard line. The Blue Jays then snapped the ball to Wayt. He kicked the ball through the uprights. The goal gave Johns Hopkins a 31-28 lead. No further plays were attempted before the final whistle.