It felt like déjà vu at Romney Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The last time Fresno State made the trip to Logan, Utah, the Utah State Aggies beat the Bulldogs 13-12, scoring a touchdown with less than a minute left in regulation.
That was the Aggies only win in 2006 and history almost repeated itself.
Utah State pulled ahead 28-27 with 38 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Fresno State was headed for another inexplicable loss.
You could already see the Aggies and their fans storming the field in celebration and the Bulldogs walking off the field with their heads hanging.
But then came the left leg of freshman kicker Kevin Goessling.
Yes the same Kevin Goessling who missed three field goals in a 13-10 loss to Wisconsin and another two in a loss against Hawaii.
After Fresno State̢۪s offense barely pushed the ball across midfield with two seconds left in the fourth quarter, Goessling, who missed from 22 yards earlier in the game, was sent out to kick a 58-yard field goal for the win.
In Goessling’s seven games with Fresno State, he has had seven game-deciding field goals – someone needs to get this poor guy some Prozac.
No one in the NFL has even made a kick from 58 out this season and only one other NCAA kicker has kicked a field goal that was farther this year.
Not to mention, no Bulldog in the program̢۪s 87-year history has made a field goal from that far out either.
Cameron Peterson / The Utah Statesman
Who am I kidding? Pele couldn̢۪t kick a ball that far.
But after a Utah State timeout, a good snap and a good hold, Goessling absolutely crushed the ball and all his critics at the same time.
“Kickers don’t win games, they save them,â€Â Goessling said. “I was definitely nervous, but that was awesome.â€Â
As the ball got closer to the uprights you could feel the air leaving Romney Stadium. The homecoming crowd just sat there with mouths wide open in disbelief.
Yeah, that just happened.
Goessling̢۪s kick split the uprights and honestly could have been good from about 65 yards out.
And just like that, the freshman from Orange County, whose career-long before Saturday was 46 yards, became the hero.
How̢۪s that for irony?
The same kid with braces whose voice was cracking with emotion after the Hawaii game when he had to talk about the field goals he missed and the same kid who had to shoulder the blame for Fresno State̢۪s two losses this season saves the Bulldogs from disaster.
He had been the scapegoat for Fresno State̢۪s troubles this season and the subject of angry Fresno State football discussions around campus.
But he never doubted himself once and neither did coach Pat Hill.
“I’m so proud of [Goessling],â€Â Hill said. “I’ve said all along that Kevin’s a talented kicker and he would win games for us. Winning a game like that is something he deserves.â€Â
Goessling couldn̢۪t wipe the smile of his face afterward.
His teammates stormed the field and paraded him atop their shoulders like Sean Astin in Rudy. Goessling̢۪s voice was cracking after this game as well, but this time he had something positive to talk about.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to be able to come out and get another chance,â€Â said Goessling, who could barely speak because he was so out of breath. “Especially in a game-winning situation.â€Â
Last week, Goessling had a message for the Fresno State fans saying, “Hopefully three years from now, you’re still not upset with me.â€Â
Congrats Kevin, it only took a week.
Joe E. • Nov 7, 2008 at 12:36 am
The Collegian Staff Comment
Great article and a fun read, Jimmy. I think it’s obvious where you were going with the Pele comment.
Joe E. • Nov 7, 2008 at 7:36 am
The Collegian Staff Comment
Great article and a fun read, Jimmy. I think it’s obvious where you were going with the Pele comment.
Ray Knopp • Nov 1, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Mr. Graben: I enjoyed your article almost as much as I enjoyed the last two seconds of the game! You gave us more than simply a play-by-play, you brought us back to that incredable moment! Kudos to you kid and Goessling too!
Ray Knopp • Nov 1, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Mr. Graben: I enjoyed your article almost as much as I enjoyed the last two seconds of the game! You gave us more than simply a play-by-play, you brought us back to that incredable moment! Kudos to you kid and Goessling too!
Matt Brandt • Oct 27, 2008 at 1:46 pm
This is why Goessling was recruited to Fresno State. We have a lot to look forward to in the next few years.
Matt Brandt • Oct 27, 2008 at 8:46 pm
This is why Goessling was recruited to Fresno State. We have a lot to look forward to in the next few years.
Jimmy • Oct 27, 2008 at 11:00 am
The Collegian Staff Comment
gm,
I’m well aware that Pele is 67 years old. I was just making a point that it was a good kick. It’s opinion; just having a little fun. I wasn’t making a statement about soccer players’ abilities to kick field goals.
Jimmy • Oct 27, 2008 at 6:00 pm
The Collegian Staff Comment
gm,
I’m well aware that Pele is 67 years old. I was just making a point that it was a good kick. It’s opinion; just having a little fun. I wasn’t making a statement about soccer players’ abilities to kick field goals.
gm • Oct 27, 2008 at 9:46 am
Jimmy,
You are probably right. Pele couldn’t kick one that far…. because he is 67 years old! In his day he easily could have reached from that distance. To put it in perspective, a few years ago Mia Hamm showeed up at a K.C. Chiefs practice and was kicking 50 yarders. Then for good measure she popped 35 yarders with her left foot. Great kick for Goessling and our dogs but you might want to tone down the hyperbole or at least stick to things you know about.
gm • Oct 27, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Jimmy,
You are probably right. Pele couldn’t kick one that far…. because he is 67 years old! In his day he easily could have reached from that distance. To put it in perspective, a few years ago Mia Hamm showeed up at a K.C. Chiefs practice and was kicking 50 yarders. Then for good measure she popped 35 yarders with her left foot. Great kick for Goessling and our dogs but you might want to tone down the hyperbole or at least stick to things you know about.
jacko • Oct 27, 2008 at 8:10 am
He’s not forgiven if he hadnt missed in the first half they wouldnt have to rely on him for that last one. He needs to get his head together and practice more. Good kick though. The dogs will get their asses wooped by boise and maybe San Jose. Anyways still a fan. GO DOGS.
jacko • Oct 27, 2008 at 3:10 pm
He’s not forgiven if he hadnt missed in the first half they wouldnt have to rely on him for that last one. He needs to get his head together and practice more. Good kick though. The dogs will get their asses wooped by boise and maybe San Jose. Anyways still a fan. GO DOGS.