Oxford native Dave Rayner ended the Detroit Lions season with a bang, kicking a career-long 55-yard field goal in the Lions 20-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Jan. 2.
His career long kick put the Lion’s up 3-0 with 6:39 left in the second quarter, capping off an eight play, 32 yard drive.
The 55-yard field goal was the third longest in Lions history.
He finished the game 2-2 on field goal attempts, connecting on a 37-yard field goal with 10:03 left in the third quarter.
Rayner filled in eight games for the injured Jason Hanson, who suffered a knee injury in the Lions game versus the New York Jets on Nov. 7, 2010.
It was an exciting season for Rayner. On Sunday, Dec. 19, he kicked the game-tying and game winning field goals at Tampa Bay to help the Lions snap their 26-game road losing streak.
In eight games for the Lions, Rayner finished 13-16 on field goal attempts, or 81.3 percent, with a long of 55 yards and converted all 16 of his extra-point attempts.
? Staff Writer Andrew Moser