By GARRETT WELLBROCK
Tiger Media Network
When Fort Hays State University’s regular kicker went down late against Washburn University on Oct. 25, all eyes turned to an unlikely hero — Michael Polley, a bandit back and walk-on safety who hadn’t kicked a football in a college game.
Moments later, Polley drilled a 34-yard game-winning field goal in overtime, sealing one of the most dramatic wins of the Tigers’ season and etching his name into team lore.
“I just had a feeling it might come down to that,” Polley said. “I was nervous, but I was ready. I’d hit a game-winning extra point back in high school, so I knew I could do it again.”
It wasn’t just the kick; it was how it happened.
Polley, who’d spent most of the afternoon patrolling the defensive backfield, was suddenly tasked with handling the game’s most pressurized moment.
“The holder, the snap, everything was perfect,” he said. “It made my job easy.”
The kick capped a gritty, defensive battle in which Fort Hays State overcame a slow offensive start to rally behind its defense and special teams. For Polley, it represented more than just three points — it was validation.
“It was huge for us,” he said. “The offense struggled a little early, but we stayed together. This win means a lot, especially for the seniors. It gives us confidence and momentum moving forward.”
That confidence has mirrored the junior’s steady rise through the Fort Hays program. A former walk-on from Bishop Carroll High School in Wichita, where he earned all-state honors with 70 tackles and two interceptions as a senior, Polley redshirted in 2022 before carving out a role on special teams and defense.
He appeared in every game in 2023 and 2024, earning a spot on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll each season — a reflection of his discipline on and off the field. This fall, he’s taken on a larger defensive role, tallying 29 tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups through 10 games.
He’s also made his presence felt in big moments.
In September, Polley snagged a highlight-reel interception against University of Nebraska-Kearney, returning it for a touchdown.
“I just trusted my speed and instincts,” he said. “That play gave me a lot of confidence early in the season.”
But this year hasn’t come without challenges. Injuries have forced the Tigers to shuffle personnel in the secondary, pushing Polley and his fellow safeties into new alignments and responsibilities.
“It’s been an adjustment,” he said. “With Jaxon (Kolzow’s) injury, communication became even more important. We’ve had to trust each other and talk more. Everyone’s stepped up.”
Despite frustrations from unmet team expectations, Polley’s message remains grounded in perspective.
“You can’t get too down,” he said about a 5-5 overall record with one game left on the schedule Nov. 15 at Emporia State University. “We just have to keep supporting each other and competing for the team.”
That mindset stems from his journey as a walk-on — a role that taught him resilience and humility.
“I came here because I loved football,” he said. “When I visited Fort Hays State, I just fell in love with the place. I’ve worked hard every day since, and it’s paid off.”
From walk-on to emergency kicker, Polley has shown that opportunity favors those who stay ready.
“It’s about doing your job, whatever the team needs,” he said. “If that means making a tackle, breaking up a pass — or hitting a field goal — I’m ready.”
This story was written as part of INF 322: Sports Writing, a course in the Department of Informatics at Fort Hays State University.
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