CORVALLIS When it comes to a senior’s final home football game, few things go as well as what did to Oregon State kicker Everett Hayes.
With 26 seconds left, Hayes onto the field at Reser Stadium with composure, his sights set on a 55-yard field goal and a victory. In the Beavers’ 41-38 victory over Washington State, Hayes made the second-longest kick of his career.
In Oregon State history, it was the fourth-longest field goal, but considering the circumstances, it was undoubtedly the most significant. Hayes’ 55-yard field goal put the Beavers (5-6) in the running for bowl eligibility and helped snap a five-game losing streak.
The play took six seconds to run, but Hayes knew the result in that short amount of time. According to Hayes, he knew it was good the moment his foot touched leather.
I grinned a little when the ball was still in the air, and the other kickers were kind of making fun of me for it. Hayes stated, “They knew I knew it was going in.” You kind of know when you hit it right because you kick a lot of balls during the offseason.
A few weeks ago, Hayes expressed his desire to have one more chance at a game-winning play during his playing days. In 2021, Hayes’ only other game-winning performance was in a 27–24 victory over Washington. Hayes started preparing for the occasion as the fourth quarter went on.
Hayes stated, “All we need to do is get one stop and just get me in range.” I kind of saw the clock when we knotted it at 38. I’ll make the kick if we can finish it.
Hayes had a six-year career filled with highs and lows, so the winning kick held special significance for him. In 2021, Hayes made 12 field goals that season, including a school-record 60-yarder against Colorado. However, due to an injury, Hayes has struggled for the last two seasons and lost his job to Atticus Sappington, who has since moved to Oregon.
Given that Hayes is 9 of 14 on field goals this season, it appears to be a lackluster campaign. Coaches, however, claimed that Hayes’ early-season absences were more due to subpar special teams play than to his accuracy. Hayes has made eight of his previous nine field goal attempts, demonstrating that both the kicking unit and individual performance have improved.
“I was a little cautious because I had to kick off, but if I’m being honest, I was getting a little emotional when I went out there (for opening) kickoff,” Hayes said. It had great significance. I believe that all of the ups and downs have improved me as a person and as a kicker. I simply appreciate all of the opportunities I’ve been given here.
The contact information for Nick Daschel is 360-607-4824, [email protected], or @nickdaschel.
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