Dinos kicker 'still can't even believe' record-breaking 59-yard field goal
David Bell | CBC News | Posted: November 14, 2017 3:17 AM | Last Updated: November 14, 2017
Niko DiFonte's field goal secured Dinos win over UBC Thunderbirds in 81st Hardy cup
"Are you kidding me?"
That's how one of the announcers described the field goal — all 59-yards of it — that put the University of Calgary Dinos over the top in their Hardy Cup win against the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday.
"It gave me the chills once again, and I still couldn't even believe it happened," Dinos second-year kicker Niko DiFonte told The Homestretch after hearing the reaction.
DiFonte's field goal with no time left on the clock put the game's final score at 44-43.
"I knew I hit it well but I wasn't sure if it had the leg or not. It was a 59-yard field goal, I had never thought I would even attempt it in a game."
DiFonte said it topped his previous records of 49 yards in a game and 55 yards in practice.
"I still can't even believe it myself," he said.
"My family came down from Winnipeg to watch this game, and what a game to come watch. It was a nail biter. It was a great game. UBC really gave us a fight to the end and we just kind of got lucky there."
He said he learned it was a record, "when [teammate] Hunter Karl tossed me around like a rag doll."
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With files from The Homestretch