Preseason wager with P.J. Fleck cost Western Michigan kicker his mullet

Three field goals from true freshman kicker Butch Hampton played a big role in Western Michigan’s 22-21 upset win over Northwestern last weekend.

Hampton may not have come through in the clutch if it weren’t for offseason preparations, some of which cost the kicker his prized mullet. Yes, really.

Broncos coach P.J. Fleck explained during his weekly press conference that Hampton didn’t face many pressure situations during his high school career, so the coaching staff had to create them during training camp.

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“We had to put a ton of pressure on him in the preseason. So during training camp, he has a mullet, and you had to find ways to put pressure on the kid,” Fleck said.

Hampton exuded confidence, Fleck said, so the coach asked Hampton if he would “put his hair on the line.”

Fleck challenged him to hit a 49-yard field goal. If Hampton missed, the mullet had to go. He missed, and Fleck cut the hair.

Fleck thinks it paid off in Evanston over the weekend. Even after Hampton missed his first attempt from 50 yards out, he nailed his next three from 47, 27 and 30 yards to help the Broncos win the game.

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“A guy that hasn’t had a lot of pressure, you have to see how he’s going to respond in those pressure situations. I don’t think there’s much more pressure than first game, Big Ten opponent, 50-yarder,” Fleck said.

“Next kick, 47-yarder, and he drills that one. The ability to respond — you missed the first of your college career — to come back and respond and hit three, if it wasn’t for that we wouldn’t have won the football game.”

(H/T FootballScoop)

For more Western Michigan news, visit BroncoBlitz.com.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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