Punters don’t often get much recognition. Even kickers can be forgotten at times. But a team with elite special teams players has a huge advantage in games.

Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of football is the field-position battle. A great punter can totally change the game by pinning a team deep in its own territory.

Illinois punter Blake Hayes did just that today against Purdue. Hayes booted a literally perfect punt.

Punting from Illinois’ 34-yard line, Hayes kicks a line-drive which falls around Purdue’s 20-yard line. The ball proceeds to bounce a few times, all while angling toward the sideline, before going out of bounds at the one-yard line and hitting the left pylon right after.

This has to be one of the best punts in football history. Check out a video of the perfect punt below.

Definition of a perfect punt 👀 (via @BigTenNetwork)pic.twitter.com/UWDBJcfJ5L — Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) October 26, 2019

This is what punters dream of. And it’s likely Hayes will remember his perfect punt for a long time.

The punt is just the start for what’s turning into a great first half for the Fighting Illini. They’ve shutout Purdue in the first half en route to a 17-0 halftime lead.

Illinois is coming off an incredible upset win over No. 13 Wisconsin last Saturday. The team looks to build that momentum with a win over the Boilermakers today.