Texas Tech University Athletics
Gameday Feature: Clayton Hatfield
November 03, 2018 | Football
Senior kicker Clayton Hatfield’s successful journey at Tech
A sigh of relief was collectively released after an entire fan base held their breath for the extra point attempt in Houston following Texas Tech's first touchdown of the game. For many teams, the chip shot after a touchdown is a given, an afterthought.
2017 was an up and down year in many regards for the Tech football team. After a quick 3-0 start in a hefty non-conference schedule, the Red Raiders would finish the season at 6-7, including three losses of one score or less. Tech's kicking department, which had multiple injuries, finished the season ranked No. 122 of 130 Division-I schools in the country.
Clayton Hatfield was injured before the 2017 season ever kicked off. The 2016 team scoring leader and marksman kicker was on and off the field all year with a nagging injury that sidelined him for the majority of the season. All he could do was watch from the sideline.
"It was tough," Hatfield said. "Just knowing that I couldn't get out there and help the team was a hard pill to swallow. Watching the games from the sideline and realizing there's nothing you can to do to help is not easy."
Tech finished the 2017 campaign having only successfully connected on 52.2 percent of its field goals, which ranked last in the Big 12. The performance came a year after Hatfield went 13-14 on the year, including a game-winner at TCU in 2016.
Hatfield's journey isn't defined by an injury-plagued year. In fact, he's surprised many around the country with his ability to fit the ball between the goal posts.
Following a redshirt freshman year in 2014, Hatfield earned the primary field goal specialist position in 2015. In an era defined by touchdowns and ridiculous point totals, he has shown that kickers still have a significant role in the outcome of games. Hatfield ranked seventh nationally and led the Big 12 with an 87.5 field goal percentage and was selected as an honorable mention selection to the All-Big 12 team by the conference coaches.
"I've always felt confident in my game," Hatfield said. "I hit 60 yard field goals regularly in practice and before the games. I know that if my coaches called on me to go out there at any point, I can do it."
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The 2016 season was no different than his first, as the semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation's top kicker, proved once again how reliable he can be. Hatfield hit 13 of his 14 field goal attempts that season and tied for fourth nationally in field goal percentage at a 92.9 clip.
Now, in his senior season, Clayton has been relishing in the opportunity to be back on the field and fully healthy.
"It's a great feeling to be with the team again," Hatfield said. "I feel like a lot of the pressure from the offseason is gone. All I could think about this summer was that first kick. Whether it would be an extra point or field goal, I couldn't wait to get out there again."
Hatfield currently ranks eighth in the country and second in the Big 12, as he is converting 90 percent of his field goal attempts and is averaging 1.29 field goals per game. His 67 points scored on the season are also good enough for the leading scoring mark in the Big 12.
With four regular season matchups left in the season, Hatfield is looking to cement his name among the best to ever do it at Tech, as the senior currently ranks third in Red Raider career scoring leaders. Hatfield is also tied for third in career field goals with 43 and second in Tech history with 184 successful point after attempts, trailing only Alex Trilica for the all-time mark.
Many Tech fans will surely never forget his game-winning score to beat TCU in 2016, or the countless other field goals that added to one of the league's top scoring offenses.
His place, and foot, have already been set in history.
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2017 was an up and down year in many regards for the Tech football team. After a quick 3-0 start in a hefty non-conference schedule, the Red Raiders would finish the season at 6-7, including three losses of one score or less. Tech's kicking department, which had multiple injuries, finished the season ranked No. 122 of 130 Division-I schools in the country.
Clayton Hatfield was injured before the 2017 season ever kicked off. The 2016 team scoring leader and marksman kicker was on and off the field all year with a nagging injury that sidelined him for the majority of the season. All he could do was watch from the sideline.
"It was tough," Hatfield said. "Just knowing that I couldn't get out there and help the team was a hard pill to swallow. Watching the games from the sideline and realizing there's nothing you can to do to help is not easy."
Tech finished the 2017 campaign having only successfully connected on 52.2 percent of its field goals, which ranked last in the Big 12. The performance came a year after Hatfield went 13-14 on the year, including a game-winner at TCU in 2016.
Hatfield's journey isn't defined by an injury-plagued year. In fact, he's surprised many around the country with his ability to fit the ball between the goal posts.
Following a redshirt freshman year in 2014, Hatfield earned the primary field goal specialist position in 2015. In an era defined by touchdowns and ridiculous point totals, he has shown that kickers still have a significant role in the outcome of games. Hatfield ranked seventh nationally and led the Big 12 with an 87.5 field goal percentage and was selected as an honorable mention selection to the All-Big 12 team by the conference coaches.
"I've always felt confident in my game," Hatfield said. "I hit 60 yard field goals regularly in practice and before the games. I know that if my coaches called on me to go out there at any point, I can do it."
Â
The 2016 season was no different than his first, as the semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation's top kicker, proved once again how reliable he can be. Hatfield hit 13 of his 14 field goal attempts that season and tied for fourth nationally in field goal percentage at a 92.9 clip.
Now, in his senior season, Clayton has been relishing in the opportunity to be back on the field and fully healthy.
"It's a great feeling to be with the team again," Hatfield said. "I feel like a lot of the pressure from the offseason is gone. All I could think about this summer was that first kick. Whether it would be an extra point or field goal, I couldn't wait to get out there again."
Hatfield currently ranks eighth in the country and second in the Big 12, as he is converting 90 percent of his field goal attempts and is averaging 1.29 field goals per game. His 67 points scored on the season are also good enough for the leading scoring mark in the Big 12.
With four regular season matchups left in the season, Hatfield is looking to cement his name among the best to ever do it at Tech, as the senior currently ranks third in Red Raider career scoring leaders. Hatfield is also tied for third in career field goals with 43 and second in Tech history with 184 successful point after attempts, trailing only Alex Trilica for the all-time mark.
Many Tech fans will surely never forget his game-winning score to beat TCU in 2016, or the countless other field goals that added to one of the league's top scoring offenses.
His place, and foot, have already been set in history.
Â
One of the 2??0?? best in the country at splitting the uprights, and the only Big 12 kicker on the list. ???? pic.twitter.com/UeMKRDmHfk
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 1, 2018
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