FWST: Hatfield provides clutch kick when TCU needs it most
By Jimmy Burch jburch@star-telegram.com
LAWRENCE, Kan. – TCU has spent the first six weeks of the season in search of a kicker capable of converting a crunch-time opportunity when it surfaced.
Brandon Hatfield may have done enough to end the search with Saturday’s game-winning, 34-yard field goal in a 24-23 triumph over Kansas. Hatfield, a left-footed junior, has shared placement with Ryan Graf, whose most notable attempt of the season was blocked by Arkansas in the waning seconds of regulation during a double-overtime loss to the Razorbacks on Sept. 10.
Hatfield, who missed a 31-yarder earlier in Saturday’s contest, rebounded to drill his final kick high and true with 1:21 remaining to cap TCU’s 59-yard scoring drive. It marked the first game-winning kick of his career, going back to his high school days in Chino Hills, Calif.
“I was pretty fired up, as you’d expect. Probably my best hit of the day,” said Hatfield, who also added three PATs. “It’s a dream come true to do this for TCU.”