Western Kentucky punter Tom Ellard is part of the ongoing Aussie revolution within college football. The redshirt sophomore specialist was named to the All-Conference USA Freshman Team last season while averaging 42/4 yards per punt and pinning opponents inside the 20-yard-line 18 times.
Now, in his second year as the starter, Ellard is juking defenders out of their shoes! He also rocks a glorious fu manchu while doing so.
The Hilltoppers lined up to punt at their own 20-yard-line during the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Troy. Ellard set up at the six.
It was very clear that he stood no chance of getting the kick off as soon as the ball was snapped. Western Kentucky’s protection collapsed and the Trojans had a player running free, full-speed off of the edge toward the punter.
Ellard was frozen in his tracks and it looked as though he was going to get blocked — or worse. A tackle for huge loss or blocked kick touchdown were both very realistic possibilities.
In fact, it looked as though those were the only two possibilities.
Ellard had a different idea!
Aussie rules football made its way to college football!
As soon as the Melbourne-native caught the snap, he faked hard to his left. The defender bit. The entire Trojans front bit.
Ellard’s pump-fake bought him a split second, which allowed him to roll back to his right and get off the punt right in the nick of time!
Ellard may be a college football punter, but his Aussie football roots kicked in for a moment and led to one of the best special teams plays of the season. He shook the defender so hard that his kick was not only clean, but he was completely untouched. It was a masterclass!