The Missouri Tigers moved to 3-0 on Saturday with a 30-27 upset victory over the No. 15 Kansas State Wildcats.
The back-and-forth contest was exciting and dramatic all the way through the final seconds of regulation.
With the game tied at 27 and overtime looking imminent, Mizzou kicker Harrison Mevis lined up for a 61-yard field goal with three seconds to play. Mevis booted it in and then some, as the Tigers pulled off the upset, thanks to the longest field goal in SEC history.
Harrison Mevis from SIXTY-ONE YARDS… GOOD!!!!
Mizzou beats #15 Kansas State at the horn thanks to the longest field goal kick in SEC HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/m2nTO5YXhx
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 16, 2023
The previous SEC record was 60 yards, set by Georgia kicker Kevin Butler in 1984. Originally, the kick would have been from 56 yards, which was Mevis’ previous career-long, but a delay of game penalty pushed it back to 61. The 2021 first-team All-SEC kicker was unfazed and booted it through to clinch the win.
It was just the second field goal from 60 yards or beyond in Mizzou history, as Tom Whelihan set the school record with a 62-yard make against Colorado in October 1986.
Mevis has become a bit of a cult hero in Columbia, as he now has 11 field goals from 50-plus yards in his career. It also marked the second game-winning field goal of his college career, with the other coming against Arkansas in the 2020 season.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz noted after the game that it was the longest kick he had ever seen Mevis make, even in practice.
Drinkwitz says that was the longest kick he's ever seen Mevis kick.
— ESPN100.5/105.1 KTGR (@KTGRsports) September 16, 2023
Following the record-breaking kick, social media had plenty to say.
Harrison Mevis hits 61-yard field goal on final play as Missouri beats Kansas State 30-27 in The Anti-Kansas Bowl
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 16, 2023
"Keep your clothes on tonight, young man!"- Booger McFarland on Mizzou kicker Harrison Mevis pic.twitter.com/QTDLSpOhnB
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 16, 2023
Harrison Mevis a year ago had an insane chip shot miss that cost Missouri against Auburn. Like, what the hell. Today he hits one from 61 yards out. College football, a beautiful sport.
— Trey (@InternetTrey) September 16, 2023
Harrison Mevis WALKS IT OFF and bails out Drinkwitz in the craziest way imaginable
Mizzou LIVES
— Brenden Schaeffer🎳 (@bschaeffer12) September 16, 2023
Drinkwitz on Mevis' kick setting an SEC record
"One of our core values is to always compete to do it better than it's ever been done before."
Mevis did that today.
— Wendell Shepherd (@wendellsjr_) September 16, 2023