Johns Hopkins Wins 31-28 on First Fair Catch Kick in 76 Years

Q: Why did Kansas State abandon a possible game-winning two-point try after Blake Barnett’s last-second touchdown?

Kansas State backed off the two-point try after Colorado called timeout, and coach Collin Klein ultimately chose the safer option of kicking the extra point to force overtime. The available game accounts all describe the same sequence: after Blake Barnett’s touchdown pass as time expired cut the score to 21-20, the Wildcats initially lined up as if they would go for two and try to win immediately. Colorado then used its final timeout, giving Kansas State a chance to reconsider. After that pause, the Wildcats sent out the kick team and tied the game at 21. No report cited a formal postgame explanation from Klein beyond the decision itself, so the clearest reading is strategic. Kansas State was on the road, using a depleted quarterback situation with starter Avery Johnson unavailable and backup Jacob Knuth also out, and had just salvaged the game in the final seconds. The timeout gave Klein a chance to weigh the risk of one high-pressure two-point play against extending the game, and he chose overtime. That choice did not work out. Kansas State managed only a field goal in overtime, and Colorado answered with Isaac Wilson’s touchdown pass to Charlie Williams for the 27-24 win.

3 articles · Updated · NCAA.com · Oct 31

Kaleb Wayt drilled a 39-yard fair catch kick with 5 seconds left to give Division III Johns Hopkins a 31-28 win over Muhlenberg.
The chance existed because the NCAA restored the fair catch kick to the rulebook for the 2026 season after dropping it in the 1950s, making this the first such kick in 76 years.
Alex Orecchio set up the try by fair-catching a 24-yard punt at the 29 after Johns Hopkins pinned Muhlenberg back to its own 6-yard line.
Under the revived rule, a team may attempt a holder-assisted field goal or drop kick from the fair-catch spot, with the defense kept 10 yards away.