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Chase McLaughlin has been a weapon for Illinois this season. While the offense has struggled to get things moving over the last month or so, the Illini kicker has been fairly consistent.
The senior is even making a little program history this year.
McLaughlin has made four field goals of 50 yards or longer this season, a new Illinois record. It also leads the nation in that category. He’s also knocked home five career kicks of 50-plus yards, also a school record.
As if that wasn’t enough, McLaughlin’s name is also in the record book for making four of the 10 longest kicks in Illinois history. He’s connected on attempts from 54, 53, 53 and 52 in his career. The longest made field goal in the program’s history was a 57-yard boot in 1975 from Dan Beaver.
Chase-ing History 🙌
4️⃣ 50+ field goals this season (school record & leads nation)
5️⃣ 50+ field goals in career (school record) #Illini 🔶🔷 pic.twitter.com/i5peP5DHYb
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 24, 2018
McLaughlin has 4 of the 10 longest field goals in Illinois history and 5 total makes from 50+ 🙌#ILLINI 🔶🔷 @UofISpecialists pic.twitter.com/eX9Wz0iqjv
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 25, 2018
McLaughlin has knocked home 11-of-16 field goal attempts this season and has converted on at least on attempt in six of the Illini’s seven games for the year. He was extraordinary against USF earlier in the year, going 4-of-4 on his field goal attempts and knocking home his only extra point attempt.
He’s a perfect 20-for-20 on extra point tries this fall.
For his career, McLaughlin has made 35 career field goals, converting at a 70 percent clip. He’s converted on every extra point attempt, hammering home 63-of-63 tries.
With five games left, McLaughlin still has opportunities to add to his already-impressive resumé and add his name to a few more Illinois records.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB