I watched a segment this morning on ESPN College GameDay about the SDSU punter Matt Araiza. He is finishing an amazing season, having set several NCAA records. He also came into the game as the all-time single season punting average leader at something like 51+ yards.

During the ESPN segment, I thought for a moment I was listening to Rickey Henderson, although Araiza didn’t go so far as to refer to himself in the third person. It was pretty much him listing his accomplishments and ending with “today I am the greatest of all time.”

So, he definitely didn’t have a good game against the Aggies. He had two good punts (although one had a long return), and another for about 38 yards. He had one go 27 yards after a block. The other went backwards 15 yards after a block for a safety. That one wasn’t a typical block; it was unforced by the Aggies, and Araiza just kicked it into the back of one of his blockers. He also was penalized 15 yards for a late hit out of bounds against Jordan Nathan.

I thought the shorter punt plus the two blocks would have really hurt his season average — but I was wrong. He had an average of 49 yards per punt during today’s game. According to the ESPN box score, the two blocked punts don’t count as Araiza punts. They are instead “team” punts, even though on one of them, Araiza just line up and kicked the ball into a teammate. I wasn’t aware or the team punt concept until today.

I liked that punt off the back of his blockers head. All American punt right there.

We get credit for both blocks IMO. The one into the guys back was because he got rocked back by the rush

GeoAg wrote: ↑

December 4th, 2021, 6:58 pm

We get credit for both blocks IMO. The one into the guys back was because he got rocked back by the rush

Yep. The Aggies got some push on those 3 guys enough to disrupt the punt.

Slim80 wrote: ↑

December 4th, 2021, 7:07 pm

GeoAg wrote: ↑

December 4th, 2021, 6:58 pm

We get credit for both blocks IMO. The one into the guys back was because he got rocked back by the rush

Yep. The Aggies got some push on those 3 guys enough to disrupt the punt.

The team got great push on all 4 of the punts, after the first I thought we'd have a decent chance at a block. After the second I was sure we'd get one. Then it was 2 blocks! wowie!

Yes AInI, I thought exactly the same and commented to my younger son thet we could get a blocked punt. Fabulous work from the ST crew. Don't wish to be uncharitable but perhaps Mr A was drinking his own bath water. He had his worst game of the year in the biggest game of the year. It's amazing what pressure can do.

WE OWNED THE PUNT PEASANT, I
MEAN god TODAY

Ok s there an ESPN jinx like the Sports Illustrated jinx?

Matt Araiza tried to one up Mark Sanchez with the “butt punt”.