By JOHN HENRY
Special to the Star-Telegram

Link to the story on Star-Telegram's site

If Saturday's NCAA Division II second-round playoff game between 12th-ranked Tarleton State and No. 1 Central Washington comes down to a field goal, the Texans are confident in their not-so-secret weapon.

Kicker Garrett Lindholm has kicked two field goals of more than 50 yards this season, including a school-record 64-yarder last week as time expired to send the Texans to overtime and ultimately victory against Texas A&M-Kingsville.

The kick is the second-longest in D-II behind Tom Odle of Fort Hays State, who hit one from 67 yards in 1988. That's an NCAA record, regardless of classification.

“I knew Coach would let me kick it if we got close enough,” Lindholm said. “I actually told the backup kicker to go tell coach I was good from 65 or anything closer.”

As if coach Sam McElroy didn't know. Lindholm, a senior from Pflugerville and former soccer player, hit a 55-yarder as time expired Oct. 10 against Midwestern State to force overtime, then a 36-yarder in overtime to win the game.

“I've hit one from 74 in practice and?...?then hit the crossbar twice from 75 and called it a day.” Distance might not be an option Saturday. The forecast for Ellensburg, Wash., calls for rain and a high of 46 degrees.

*Editor's note: The 55-yarder against MSU did not force overtime, but was with time expiring to clinch the victory.