One of the stars of the 2024 UFL season, Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates, has made yet another long field goal during the Week 7 game against the D.C. Defenders.
During the second quarter and with the Panthers leading 13-6, Bates was called upon to kick a 51-yard field goal, which, at this point, is bordering on a chip shot for the impressive kicker.
As you’d expect, Bates knocked it right though with plenty of distance to spare. The make was the 13th of his incredible season and he has now made a whopping six from 50-plus, including three from over 60.
Never a doubt 🙌@jakebates30 from 5️⃣1️⃣!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aaSd4tZT3G
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 12, 2024
Bates then followed that up with a 22-yarder near the end of the first half.
➕3️⃣
Piece of cake for @jakebates30 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OEFHTM4gsV
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 12, 2024
The makes were just the third and fourth Bates has achieved away from Ford Field, where he may be playing later this year after the Detroit Lions reportedly expressed interest in him. The successful attempts were also just his second and third in an outdoor venue after he was 1-for-3 in Week 5 against the Memphis Showboats in less-than ideal weather.
While Bates will likely garner plenty of interest around the NFL, he cannot talk to or sign with a team until after the UFL season, which is in mid-June.
“That’s not true, I can’t talk to them,” Bates said. “I don’t know where that comes from, but no, I can’t. I guess we’re under contract, we can’t talk to anybody. So, that’ll come in the future, hopefully, but that’s not happening right now.”
Bates is coming off a Week 6 performance in which he went 5-for-5, including a 60-yarder and then a game-winner in the closing seconds.
