DC Defenders kicker Matt McCrane achieved a milestone in the history of the United Football League (UFL) by scoring the first four-point field goal during a game against the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday. This remarkable event took place with 9:08 left in the first quarter of their Week 1 matchup.
The 60-yard field goal marked a significant change in the league, as this season introduced a new rule granting teams four points for successful field goals made from distances of 60 yards or more. McCrane, who has been a standout kicker for the defending UFL champions since 2023, adds this achievement to his impressive resume.
Last season, McCrane successfully converted 14 of 20 field goal attempts during the regular season, including two kicks from over 50 yards. He was flawless in the postseason, making all five of his field goal attempts. His experience includes a collegiate career at Kansas State from 2014 to 2017, followed by time on practice squads and offseason rosters with several NFL teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions between 2018 and 2024. Additionally, he played for the New York Guardians in the XFL in 2020.
This season, the UFL has also implemented other notable rule changes. Among these adjustments are the banning of the “tush push” play, the requirement for only one foot to be in bounds for a completed reception, and a restriction on punting inside the 50-yard line until the two-minute warning in both halves.
