Iowa kicker Mike Meyer hits one of his four field goals in Iowa's 18-17 victory over Northern Illinois. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)

CHICAGO — Mike Meyer never saw his thing of beauty.

The junior has kicked just two 50-yard field goals in his career. A 50-yarder is something you want to take in and sort of admire, like a home run. But no, Meyer didn’t see Saturday’s 50-yarder in the Hawkeyes’ 18-17 victory over Northern Illinois at Soldier Field.

He slipped and fell.

“I slipped a little,” said Meyer whose four field goals kept the Hawkeyes alive. “I could see the top of the post. I saw the ball coming back around and then I saw [long snapper] Casey Kreiter jumping up and down, so I assumed it went in.”

The 50-yarder was Meyer’s fourth and made it 17-12 with 9:33 left in the fourth quarter. He made 34-, 29- and 22-yarders leading up to that. His only miss was from 40 yards.

The five attempts tied a school record (Meyer against Indiana in ’10; Kyle Schlicher against Minnesota in 2004). The four field goals tied a career high for Meyer (Indiana ’10; Iowa State ’11). His 171 points moved him to 11th on Iowa’s career scoring list, passing Ladell Betts, David Hudson and Marvin McNutt.

The wind changed dramatically in the fourth quarter, when Iowa had the wind to its back. Meyer said range is discussed as the game goes on. Co-special teams coach Lester Erb has a range in mind, but it can change.

“Everybody just kept believing and we kept a positive attitude,” said Meyer, who has made 32 of 42 (76 percent) career kicks.