Smyth's 56-Yard FG, Onside Kick in Saints NFL Debut

In a standout NFL debut, 24-year-old kicker Charlie Smyth from Mayobridge, Northern Ireland, nailed a 56-yard field goal and executed a successful onside kick for the New Orleans Saints during their 21-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Smyth, a former Gaelic football goalkeeper who only began playing American football two years ago, entered the game elevated from the practice squad after the Saints released veteran kicker Blake Grupe earlier in the week. Grupe had struggled with eight missed field goals this season, including two in the previous loss to the Atlanta Falcons, finishing 18 of 26 on attempts. The team had also signed experienced kicker Cade York to the practice squad for evaluation, but opted to start Smyth for place-kicking and kickoff duties.

The Dolphins led 16-0 at halftime, but the Saints mounted a comeback in the second half. They scored on their opening drive, and with 6:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, down 19-8 and stalled at the Miami 37-yard line, Smyth drilled his first career field goal straight through the uprights, cutting the deficit to 19-11. "Just happy to be able to knock it down," Smyth...