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This is an image we’ve all seen before. Hundreds of times for Illinois’s offense, especially during the Blake Hayes era. We all know what’s about to happen. He’s about to launch a 63-yard punt that lands next to the sideline and bounces out, followed by yet another OTE Special Teams POTW award.
That’s not what happened though.
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Behold the funniest fake punt of the season.
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) November 21, 2020
Take a bow, Blake Hayes. pic.twitter.com/kLihqVhttC
In 2020, Blake Hayes launched 42 punts with an average of 43.8 yards per punt. Untold numbers of those punts landed inside the 20, 10, and even the 5. Still though, not the most impressive thing about his season.
Blake Hayes, Running Back, Illinois Fighting Illini
2 carries, 34, yards, 17 ypc average, 2 fourth down conversions
That’s right. In addition to embarrassing Nebraska with the wide openest fake punt run ever, Hayes did it again.
Zero hesitation from @HayesBla1 this time.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 12, 2020
The @IlliniFootball punter is becoming a pro at this fake punt thing: pic.twitter.com/dyQIoBUQuT
Dude has some wheels too!
I loved seeing Hayes punt and scouting his stat lines after each week of the season. I can’t wait to do it again in the 2021 season. Until then, I’m going to kick back and marvel at the most efficient running back in the conference embarrassing Nebraska and outrunning Northwestern.
Poll
What do you like better?
This poll is closed
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25%
Hayes’s otherworldly punting skills
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74%
Hayes’s ability to chew up yardage every time he touches the ball