Division II kicker’s 80-yard kick is a candidate for college football’s play of the year

Colorado School of Mines kicker Blake Doud made a name for himself Thursday night.

While the 2024 NFL season opened in Kansas City, the Division II Orediggers also kicked off their season against West Texas A&M at Marv Kay Stadium. Doud, a first-team Division II All-American last year, started his season by catching a punt at the 11-yard line. His next kick was even better.

Late in the third quarter, with Colorado School of Mines pinned at its own 19, Doud kicked the ball with a powerful right-footed kick. The ball didn’t touch the turf until it reached the other 20-yard line and then bounced off Orediggers to the West Texas A&M 1-yard line.

That’s an 80-yard punt in the book, folks.

Football fans around the world were stunned:

Doud, a redshirt junior, could get a chance in the future to play on Sundays.