Saturday night in Charlotte, Nolan Hauser, Clemson’s freshman kicker, cemented his place in Tiger football lore with one of the coolest pre-kick moves you’ll ever see.
Before booting a record-setting 56-yard field goal to clinch the ACC Championship and send Clemson to the College Football Playoff, Hauser turned to the sideline and delivered a cheeky wink. Yes, a wink. Talk about confidence.
TRUE FRESHMAN CLEMSON KICKER WINKED BEFORE KNOCKING DOWN A 56-YARDER TO WIN THE ACC CHAMPIONSHIP pic.twitter.com/65MVMgtCCY
— drake c. toll, party animal. (@drakectoll) December 8, 2024
The game had all the makings of a nail-biter. With just seconds left on the clock, SMU had clawed their way back to tie the game at 31-31. But then, junior wide receiver Adam Randall gave Clemson a much-needed spark with a massive 41-yard kickoff return, setting up Hauser’s big moment. A quick strike from quarterback Cade Klubnik to Antonio Williams put the ball in field goal range, and the rest is history.
Hauser’s kick wasn’t just any field goal; it was the longest in ACC Championship history, an absolutely clutch performance under the brightest of lights. And considering the stakes — an ACC title and a spot in the playoffs — the pressure was immense. But if Hauser was feeling it, you’d never know. That wink said it all.
After the game, Hauser reflected on the moment, calling it a dream come true. “Growing up near Charlotte, it’s amazing to have so many friends and family here,” he shared. “This was for them and for this team. I knew we had it.”
Fans immediately rallied around their new hero. Social media was abuzz with reactions, with many dubbing Hauser a “legend” and joking that he might change how people view college kickers forever. Even Clemson’s head coach, Dabo Swinney, couldn’t help but praise the freshman’s poise, a trait that’s rare in someone so new to the college stage.
Nolan Hauser's wink to Dabo is instant joe cool status 💰 pic.twitter.com/ylaTvfMs2k
— Michael Hernandez (@capturehappy) December 8, 2024
Nolan Hauser went to high school just down the road and winked before he kicked it.
— Cameron Burnett (@Cdburnett7) December 8, 2024
Clemson got themselves a Brandon Aubrey clone. https://t.co/pvIGXve21f
The onions it takes to do this right before you nail the kick 🥵 pic.twitter.com/ICojEoR5b4
— Woody Whitehurst - Women’s Lacrosse Supporter (@woodywhitehurst) December 8, 2024
Moments like this are why we love college football. From the drama of the game to the sheer swagger of a freshman kicker winking before a record-breaking kick, it’s the kind of story that will be told around Clemson for years to come.
As the Tigers gear up for their playoff run, one thing’s for sure: Nolan Hauser isn’t just a freshman anymore—he’s a Clemson legend.