Want to see an NCAA-record 95-yard punt?
One of the longest punts in NCAA history occurred on Saturday.
Austin Baker, a senior at Heidelberg University, launched a 95-yarder — yes, 95 yards! — in the team’s game against John Carroll. Baker, punting from his own end zone, launched the punt all the way to the John Carroll 35. From there, it bounced all the way into the opposite end zone for a touchback.
(You can watch video of the punt at the 52:20 mark here)
Baker’s 95-yard punt (it really went more like 103 yards, but the 5-yard line was the line of scrimmage) is a Division III record. It was the highlight of the day for Heidelberg, who dropped to 4-5 with a 27-0 loss.
Baker’s punt is not the best in NCAA history, however. Nevada’s Pat Brady booted a 99-yard punt against Loyola Marymount in 1950 for the FBS record. The Division II record belongs to Emporia State’s Earl Hurst, who had a 97-yard kick against Central Missouri in 1964.
Baker, also the team’s kicker, was a Division III All-American in 2017 when he made 6-of-8 field goals and 41-of-45 extra points for the Student Princes (which is really Heidelberg’s nickname). His 95-yard punt increased his season average to 44.2 yards per punt. Not too shabby.
Also of note: Baker’s punt isn’t the only D-III record for Heidelberg. Just five years ago, on Nov. 16, 2013, Cartel Brooks set a record with 465 rushing yards in a 42-14 win over Baldwin Wallace. That’s an NCAA record at all levels.
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