Give Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka credit for facing the bright lights and whirring recorders of  the media following his miss of a 44-yard potentially game-winning field goal in the Ravens’ 33-31 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Days after longtime Ravens kicker Matt Stover signed with the Indianapolis Colts, Hauschka’s miss would certainly be considered the biggest of his career.

For his part, a bleary-eyed Hauschka owned up to his mistake and vowed to improve.

“I thought I hit it pretty good on my foot,” Hauschka said of the kick that sailed just outside of the left upright.  “I looked up and it was going left, so I was disappointed. There were a lot of plays in the game, but I think our team put up a good fight out there. I will just have to get the next one.”

Hauschka went into the contest hitting on four of five field goal attempts.  He missed a 41-yarder in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The former NC State kicker also knocked one in from 29 yards just before halftime of the Vikings game.

Hauschka said he felt good about his chances when the Ravens drove to Minnesota’s 26-yard line to set up his 44-yarder.

“We had the range as soon as we made that first down,” he said.  “I figured I would be kicking a field goal. 55 yards was definitely in the range today.”

The Ravens still stood behind their kicker, noting nearly an entire game’s worth of action to take control over the Vikings.

“We didn’t lose that game just because of Hauschka,” said running back Ray Rice.  “There was a lot of time for us to put that game out of his hands.”

While quarterback Joe Flacco did not talk to Hauschka after the game, he did offer his support.

“I didn’t talk to Steve, but it happens,” Flacco stated.  “He will get another chance and he’ll get it next time.”