Ohio State doesn't make 50-yard field goals. Does it matter?

The Buckeyes haven't made one since 2019, and have made two since 2010.

Noah Ruggles lines up for a game-winning 50-yard field goal in a 2022 College Football Playoff semifinal against Georgia. (ESPN)

COLUMBUS — Ryan Day wanted to see if Jayden Fielding could do it.

Maybe the third time would be the charm.

Fielding lined up for a 53-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter of Ohio State’s win against Minnesota last Saturday. It was just the third attempt from 50-plus yards in Fielding’s career. This one went similarly to the other two. Kicking from near the left hashmarks, Fielding’s kick had the distance, but it stayed left, starting just inside the goal post before ultimately sailing wide of the upright.

All three of Fielding’s tries from 50-plus have had that natural right-to-left draw. This one was close. So was the 52-yard try he missed at Michigan in 2023. Both had the distance, but missed left. His try from 56 yards against Tennessee last year had not shot, a sideways strike that spun to the left, barely rising higher than the crossbar and landing in the front of the end zone on a frigid Columbus evening.