Jake Bates Secures Michigan Panthers Victory with Historic 64-Yard Field Goal

In a dramatic UFL opener, kicker Jake Bates, who hadn't made a field goal since high school, delivers a game-winning kick for the Panthers.

Jake Bates, with no college field goal attempts, hits a 64-yard field goal to win the UFL opener for the Michigan Panthers against the St. Louis Battlehawks.
The field goal, made twice due to a timeout, is the longest in UFL history and ties for the second-longest in professional football.
Bates' journey to the Panthers included stints as a soccer player and kickoff specialist in college, and brief periods with NFL teams.
The Panthers' victory, marked by Bates' kick, was the highlight of the team's transition from the USFL to the UFL.
The game drew a dedicated crowd of 9,444 fans, highlighting local support and enthusiasm for the new league.