A New Chapter in Indoor Football
Alejandro Mata spent four seasons as the starting kicker for the Colorado Buffaloes, during which he converted 82 percent of his field‑goal attempts and an astonishing 98.2 percent of his extra‑point tries. His reliability helped him rank among the most prolific scorers in school history, finishing fourth on the all‑time list with 204 points.
This offseason, Mata signed with the Orlando Pirates of the Indoor Football League, bringing his proven leg to a franchise that is currently sitting at 4‑3 in the 2026 campaign. The move marks a significant addition for a team hoping to capitalize on its veteran depth as it pushes toward the playoffs.
The Pirates' next test arrives on Sunday when they travel to face the New Mexico Chupacabras at the American Dream Mall. The matchup promises a clash of contrasting styles, with Orlando's newly bolstered kicking game set against a defense that has kept opponents guessing all season.
Fans will be able to follow every snap of the IFL season on Yahoo Sports, which holds the league's broadcast rights. The platform will stream the Pirates‑Chupacabras contest live, offering viewers a chance to see Mata's accuracy in real time as he looks to extend his impressive college‑to‑pro transition.
Mata's arrival adds a layer of experience to Orlando's special‑teams unit, a factor that could prove decisive in tightly contested games. As the Pirates aim to climb higher in the standings, the former Buffaloes standout will be counted on to deliver the same precision that made him a standout at Colorado.