On a night when Jordan Love played only one series and the Green Bay Packers did not finish a drive in the end zone, rookie kicker Trey Smack — who made all four of his attempted kicks — provided the team’s top highlights during a 28-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers to open the preseason.
Smack, the Packers’ sixth-round pick, officially made three field goals, providing all nine of the Packers’ points. His first kick — a 58-yarder on the first drive — didn’t count as the Packers accepted a penalty to extend the drive. A few plays later, Smack connected from 37 yards out to give Green Bay an early 3-0 lead.
Smack’s top highlight came before the half. After Kyle McCord quickly got the Packers into field goal range, Smack calmly connected from 58 yards out as time expired in the second quarter. The kick had plenty of distance and cleanly split the uprights at Acrisure Stadium.
“It was awesome. That was definitely the highlight of the night,” Love said of Smack post-game.
Later, Smack hit from 38 yards out to give the Packers a 9-7 lead in the third quarter.
Four kicks, four makes. A dream debut for a rookie kicker who has had his share of ups and downs during the offseason workout program and the start of training camp.
On the first 58-yarder, coach Matt LaFleur said he overruled special teams coordinator Cam Achord and put Smack in a tough position for his first live NFL kick. The rookie responded and ended up having a big night.
“He was definitely a bright spot for us,” LaFleur said. “He went out there and delivered. Really, really strong first performance. Now he’s gotta stack on it.”
Records for longest field goals are only kept for regular season games, but Smack’s 58-yarder would have tied for the second-longest in team history.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Rookie Trey Smack provides ‘highlight of the night’ for Packers in preseason opener
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Kruse, Packers Wire | USA TODAY Network
