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Murfreesboro, Tenn. • Most punters are fearful when they are standing in the back of an end zone, knowing a mistake here or there could end in disaster.
But BYU's Scott Arellano relishes the opportunity.
That was evident during Saturday's 27-7 win over Middle Tennessee at Floyd Stadium, as Arellano unleashed an 81-yard punt from the end zone in the fourth quarter and the Cougars clinging to a 21-7 lead. The booming kick, which the MTSU returner failed to field, was downed at the Blue Raiders' 11 and completely flipped the field.
"Oh yeah, I love standing in the end zone and just going after it," Arellano said. "I don't have to worry about anything. I knew the wind was going that way, so I knew it was a good opportunity. I just hoped that guy wouldn't catch it, and he didn't, so it was good."
The punt broke Lee Johnson's 31-year-old school record of 80 yards, which happened on Oct. 8, 1983 at Wyoming.
And Johnson saw the whole thing, having made the trip from his home in Alpine to watch the game. Johnson helps BYU's punters and kickers, and was one of the first to congratulate Arellano for the feat.
"He was happy," said Arellano. "He just gave me a hug and was super-excited."
Indeed, Johnson raved after the game about the boot.
"It was great. Cool stuff. I am happy for him, and a little jealous, a little pumped up," Johnson said.
In cold, windy conditions with temperatures in the mid-40s, Arellano averaged 46.3 yards on seven punts and dropped four inside the 20-yard line.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall mentioned the big boot in his opening comments as being an important part of the win that snapped a four-game losing streak.
"Scott Arellano's punt was just absolutely critical, and excellent," Mendenhall said. "It was fun to see our players get a tangible reward for the work they've been putting in."
Arellano also played a key role the last time BYU won, way back on Sept. 20 against Virginia.
The Cougars won the special teams battle, as MTSU kicker Cody Clark missed a 29-yard field goal on the Blue Raiders' opening possession.
"It was blowing good," MTSU coach Rick Stockstill said. "But nothing really came of it except that one punt they had. It didn't affect us."
Twitter: @drewjay Lo
Longest punts in BYU history
Punter Yards Date Opponent
Scott Arellano 81 Nov. 1, 2014 Middle Tennessee
Lee Johnson 80 Oct. 8, 1983 Wyoming