Alex Cain Assistant Athletic Director/Game Operations | Illinois State University Athletics Website
Alex Cain Assistant Athletic Director/Game Operations | Illinois State University Athletics Website
Illinois State punter Hayden Futch had a standout performance against Western Illinois, earning him the title of Missouri Valley Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday.
Futch achieved career-high statistics during Illinois State's 51-34 victory over in-state rival Western Illinois on Saturday. The Valdosta, Georgia native averaged a personal best of 54 yards per punt across four attempts in the game and successfully pinned Western Illinois inside its own 20-yard line twice.
His first punt of the day was his longest at 63 yards, setting a new career record. He followed this with a 56-yard punt that was fair caught by the WIU returner. His final 50-plus yard punt of the game measured 56 yards and was downed at the WIU 13-yard line, further pinning them deep in their territory.
Through three games this season, Futch is averaging 44.5 yards per punt, ranking fourth in the MVFC. He has achieved five punts exceeding 50 yards out of 18 attempts and has pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line four times while also forcing four fair catches.
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