Henry's kick reminds us of Arden Czyzewski
Sunday, October 31, 2010 | Football, Volleyball, Scott Carter
Chas Henry's game-winning field goal in overtime on Saturday against Georgia triggered a massive on-field celebration by the Gators.
After three consecutive losses, Florida's players and coaches were finally able to celebrate as Henry's 37-yard field goal prevented the Gators from going 0-for-October and gave Florida a dramatic 34-31 victory.
If you tried to remember the last time Florida won a game with a field goal on the final play, don't feel bad if you couldn't pull it from your memory.
It had been awhile.
Henry's kick was the first time the Gators celebrated a game-winning field goal on the final play since Arden Czyzewski's 41-yard kick beat LSU 21 years ago, 16-13.
Henry, the team's starting punter who has filled in for regular kicker Caleb Sturgis (back injury) the past four games, rebounded to make two second-half field goals after missing one in the first half. Shortly before his kick, Henry thought the Gators had won the game on Will Hill's 89-yard interception return.
“I was probably cheering louder than anyone for him to get into the end zone -- that takes a lot of pressure off me and everybody,'' Henry said.
However, Hill was called out at the 1-yard line, forcing the Gators to take over at Georgia's 25 per overtime rules. Henry booted his game-winner four plays later to the delight of Florida coach Urban Meyer, who immediately dropped to the ground in relief when Henry's kick went through the uprights.
“He's not majored in that,'' Meyer said of Henry's field-goal kicking.
Here is a look at other Florida game-winning kicks since 1960:
Kicker Season Opponent Distance Time left Final
Caleb Sturgis 2009 Arkansas 27 yards 0:09 23-20
Matt Leach 2003 Georgia 33 yards 0:33 16-13
Arden Czyzewski 1989 LSU 41 yards 0:00 16-13
Brain Clark 1980 Kentucky 34 yards N/A 17-15
Wayne Barfield 1967 Georgia 31 yards N/A 17-16
Steve Spurrier 1966 Auburn 40 yards 2:12 30-27
Bob Lyle 1964 Miss. State 41 yards N/A 16-13
Billy Cash 1960 LSU 35 yards N/A 13-10
