[DC 86]

I don't see how it is possible to "determine precisely" a kicker's range if they have never tried the distance in a competitive game.  Kickers routinely boom 60 yard field goals in practice, but that is hardly the same as the pressure of kicking in an actual game against Division 1 athletes.

Range only refers to how far a kicker can kick it through the goalposts from a hold; of course the probability of making it in a game is subject to the pressure factor you cited as well as the execution of the snap and hold and the defense's penetration. My assumption is that the coaches were extremely confident in Toner's leg strength from that distance and confident enough on his ability to handle the pressure given his performance thus far this season in which he has been very accurate and appears to be a cool customer.

I don't think it's clear cut either way, I was calling for Shaw to go for it when I watched in real time. My main point in response to the original post was that not going for it on 4th-and-1 and then going for it on 4th-and-6 appears bizarre but that it is defensible once you analyze it further, specifically due to the exact field position involved.

[DC 86]

I don't see how it is possible to "determine precisely" a kicker's range if they have never tried the distance in a competitive game.  Kickers routinely boom 60 yard field goals in practice, but that is hardly the same as the pressure of kicking in an actual game against Division 1 athletes.

Range only refers to how far a kicker can kick it through the goalposts from a hold; of course the probability of making it in a game is subject to the pressure factor you cited as well as the execution of the snap and hold and the defense's penetration. My assumption is that the coaches were extremely confident in Toner's leg strength from that distance and confident enough on his ability to handle the pressure given his performance thus far this season in which he has been very accurate and appears to be a cool customer.

I don't think it's clear cut either way, I was calling for Shaw to go for it when I watched in real time. My main point in response to the original post was that not going for it on 4th-and-1 and then going for it on 4th-and-6 appears bizarre but that it is defensible once you analyze it further, specifically due to the exact field position involved.