Futch Named MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week

ST. LOUIS – Illinois State punter Hayden Futch had a career day against Western Illinois, and for his efforts he was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday by the league office.

Futch tallied career numbers for Illinois State in its 51-34 win over in-state rival Western Illinois on Saturday. The Valdosta, Georgia, native averaged a career-best 54 yards per punt on four attempts in the win against the Leathernecks and pinned WIU inside its own 20 yard line twice. 

His first punt of the day was his longest at 63 yards (also a career long) and he followed that with one for 56 yards that was fair caught by the WIU returner. His third and final 50-plus yard punt of the game was his last of the contest, which went for 56 yards and was downed at the WIU 13 yard line to pin them deep once again.

Through three games, Futch is averaging 44.5 yards per punt which ranks fourth in the MVFC. He now has five 50-plus yard punts in 18 attempts and has pinned opponents inside the 20 four times, while also forcing four fair catches.

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