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Former Penn State specialist Blake Gillikin registers 81-yard punt in NFL preseason game

Andrew Olson

By Andrew Olson

Published:

Former Penn State specialist Blake Gillikin wants in on pro football’s punting fever.

In Friday night’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers, Gillikin booted one 81 yards.

The Saints shared a clip of Gillikin’s booming punt. Announcer Kevin Harlan was impressed by Gillikin, noting “giant hang time, but even a bigger yard” on the punt that went “back, back, back to the 12” before eventually rolling for a touchback.

Bills rookie Matt Araiza, who launched an 82-yard punt earlier this preseason, is widely known as the “Punt God.” Gillikin, though, looks ready to contend for that title.

Gillikin was a 4-year starter at Penn State. He has been with the Saints since 2020. As an undrafted free agent, he spent much of his rookie year on injured reserve. Gillikin took over the starting job in 2021.

Andrew Olson

A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.