Maryland College Football Team Exploits Bizarre New Rule To Kick Uncontested Game-Winning Field Goal

Johns Hopkins used a fair catch free kick to defeat Muhlenberg during the college football game in Baltimore on Saturday. Unless you are a true sicko, you may not know what that means.

It was the first time in more than 75 years that a team was able to take advantage of this very specific play.

The rule did not exist in college football after 1950. The Blue Jays brought it back in style!

Johns Hopkins defeated Muhlenberg on a walk-off field goal… kind of.

Johns Hopkins University and Muhlenberg both compete on the Division III level of NCAA football as a member of the Centennial Conference. Neither team is very good this season. The Blue Jays entered the weekend at 2-5. The Mules entered the weekend one game above .500 at 4-3.

These two conference foes played to an instant classic in Maryland on Halloween!

Johns Hopkins took a one-point lead into the locker room at halftime and scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter go up by 15. Muhlenberg failed to score during the third quarter but it rallied for 15 points in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 28-28 with just over 90 seconds remaining.

And then it got weird.

The Blue Jays broke off a big run to begin its next possession but the offense stalled out. Muhlenberg called a timeout that it would ultimately wish it hadn’t. John Hopkins punted the ball away with 27 seconds remaining. It was downed at the two-yard-line.

Because the Mules were backed up against their own goal line, they decided not to try and get into field goal position. It looked like the game was destined for overtime. However, the Blue Jays were able to use their final two timeouts to force another punt.

Muhlenberg kicked the ball away with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Johns Hopkins could either to try to score on a pitchy-pitchy-woo-woo or get down as quickly as possible and try a Hail Mary. There was also a third option.

College football reinstated the fair catch free kick!

The NCAA approved this unique rule change way back in March. The ‘Fair Catch Free Kick’ rule, which is only applies in a very specific situation, has existed continuously on the NFL and high school levels for years. It was removed from college football in 1950. It was reinstated for 2026.

If a receiving team calls for a fair catch, the receiving team has the option to attempt a free kick on the very next play.

A free kick more closely resembles a kickoff than a field goal in terms of formation. Both teams line up 10 yards apart. The kicker kicks the ball off of a tee without a true snap and the defense is not allowed to rush the kick. If the free kick goes through the uprights, it is scored as three points like a field goal.

Muhlenberg’s punter was backed up against his own goal line. He punted the ball out to only the 29-yard-line. Johns Hopkins called for a fair catch with five seconds remaining in the game. Kicker Kaleb Wayt trotted out to attempt a free kick.

Although it looked for a moment like the attempt missed wide right, it barely snuck inside the upright.