Video: Illinois' Punter Has A Literally Perfect Punt
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - AUGUST 30: General view as the sun sets on a punt by Joe Schopper #31 of the Purdue Boilermakers in the first quarter of a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ross-Ade Stadium on August 30, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Punters don't often get much recognition. Even kickers can be forgotten at times. But a team with elite special teams players has a huge advantage in games.
Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of football is the field-position battle. A great punter can totally change the game by pinning a team deep in its own territory.
Illinois punter Blake Hayes did just that today against Purdue. Hayes booted a literally perfect punt.
Punting from Illinois' 34-yard line, Hayes kicks a line-drive which falls around Purdue's 20-yard line. The ball proceeds to bounce a few times, all while angling toward the sideline, before going out of bounds at the one-yard line and hitting the left pylon right after.
This has to be one of the best punts in football history. Check out a video of the perfect punt below.
This is what punters dream of. And it's likely Hayes will remember his perfect punt for a long time.
The punt is just the start for what's turning into a great first half for the Fighting Illini. They've shutout Purdue in the first half en route to a 17-0 halftime lead.
Illinois is coming off an incredible upset win over No. 13 Wisconsin last Saturday. The team looks to build that momentum with a win over the Boilermakers today.
