Giants Kicker Aborts Field Goal in 33-15 Loss to Patriots

In a stunning mishap during Monday Night Football, New York Giants kicker Younghoe Koo aborted a 47-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter, driving his foot into the turf instead of the ball and contributing to a 33-15 loss against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The incident occurred with 6:28 remaining in the half, as the Giants trailed 17-7. Holder Jamie Gillan received the snap and placed the ball down, but Koo pulled up short as he approached, citing movement in the hold caused by cold weather. "I was approaching the ball and, cold weather, the ball kind of slipped out at the bottom so it was moving," Koo said after the game. "I wasn't able to kick through the ball. The ball was moving when I was driving to it, so I just pulled up on it." Gillan recovered the loose ball and attempted to advance it, but he was tackled for a 13-yard loss, resulting in a turnover on downs. The play was officially recorded as a Gillan rush rather than a missed field goal, since Koo made no contact with the football.

Interim head coach Mike Kafka supported Koo's account. "I saw it live," Kafka told reporters. "The ball kind of slipped a little...