Indiana Kicker McAteer Hits 60-Yard Field Goal

Paddy McAteer's school-record 60-yard kick sent Indiana's game against Minnesota into overtime, where the Hoosiers won 23-16.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football

Indiana Kicker McAteer Hits 60-Yard Field Goal

Paddy McAteer kicked a 60-yard field goal with two seconds left to tie Indiana and Minnesota at 16-16 and force overtime. Indiana went on to win 23-16 in the extra period.

Why it matters

The kick set an Indiana school record and gave the fourth-ranked Hoosiers a dramatic win over Minnesota. It also showed the value of specialized long-range kicking in close games.

McAteer's 60-yard kick beat his previous competitive best of 53 yards from Troy University and his longest practice attempt of 58 yards. The stub does not indicate whether he had ever attempted a kick of this length in a game before.

The players

Paddy McAteer

A 24-year-old kicker from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, who transferred to Indiana ahead of the 2026 season after starting his college career at Troy University.

Luke Drzewiecki

Minnesota's kicker, who converted a 60-yard field goal to give his team a 16-13 lead late in the game.

The details

Minnesota kicker Luke Drzewiecki put Minnesota ahead 16-13 with 19 seconds remaining on a 60-yard field goal. Indiana backup quarterback Grant Wilson then found receiver Charlie Becker for a 33-yard gain, and an incomplete pass left two seconds on the clock before McAteer's attempt.

2024: McAteer initially joined Troy University in Alabama.
2026 season: McAteer transferred to Indiana.
Saturday: Indiana defeated Minnesota 23-16 in overtime.

Season Trajectory

The win strengthens Indiana's position as a national contender after a game in which the team was ranked fourth nationally. The result reflects how specialist kicking has become a deciding factor in late-game outcomes across college football.

McAteer's kick changes how fantasy managers and Indiana fans should weigh kicker value in close games. The outcome also means the Hoosiers enter their next stretch of the schedule with a confirmed late-game option.

The takeaway

Dependable specialists with proven range can turn a near-certain loss into a win, so teams should evaluate kicking depth as seriously as starting roles.