The New Orleans Saints didn’t do well against the Kansas City Chiefs in many categories, but rookie punter Matthew Hayball was a bright spot on the day. The first-year pro from Vanderbilt has quietly put together a solid start to the season.
Offensive deficiencies gave Hayball the chance to showcase himself. After Derek Carr’s interception, the Saints punted in back-to-back possessions. Over half of the Saints first half possessions ended in a Hayball punt. His total number of punts would have been higher if the Saints weren’t in four down territory the majority of the fourth quarter.
Hayball averaged 49.8 yards per punt on four punts. That is his highest average of the season. His shortest punt on the night traveled 48 yards, and his long was 53 yards. It was a very consistent and effective night by the rookie punter.
He has gotten close to this average one time. He averaged 49 yards per punt against the Dallas Cowboys, but that was only on one punt. Hayball’s four punts against Kansas City are a larger sample size and more impressive.
Hayball has done a good job of placing the ball inside the 20 this year. His opportunities of doing this were limited against Kansas City because of where he was punting from. Still he put two punts inside the 20 with one of them being returned just outside of the 20-yard line. At least someone wearing a black and gold jersey had a good game.
