Was due for what? Kicker wasn't even close? Even in the ballpark on three previous much closer kicks. I would say what happened, had a much better chance than that freshman hitting that kick.
It sounds ridiculous saying not taking a chance to win is the smart move. But that kid had no chance, most NFL kickers can't hit that. What was it 57 yards? Hail Mary, no one is looking to return for a touchdown. First time I saw that missed field-goal return for touchdown Bill Parcells pulled it, seen a handful of times since.