Illini Legends, Lists & Lore: Illini’s Biggest Bettors | Sports

Statistically speaking, it’s no exaggeration to call super senior Blake Hayes the all-time best bettor in Illinois.

Hayes passed Steve Weatherford as Illinois’ average career punt leader by the weakest of margins: 43.6 yards to 43.5. And with at least eight games remaining on Illini’s football schedule in 2021, it’s probably too early to officially claim Hayes as Illinois’ player of all time, but some comparisons to Weatherford in other statistical categories boats almost give him the crown.

For example, Hayes has 283 career punts for 12,326 yards. From 2002 to 2005, Weatherford kicked the ball 193 times for 8,402 yards.

In terms of punters shot inside the 20-yard line, Hayes has 101. Weatherford has 51.

In terms of total punts that have traveled 50 yards or more, Hayes currently has 62. Weatherford had 57.

In the fair catch category, Hayes’ kicks resulted in 61 of them. Twenty-seven of Weatherford’s punts were caught fairly.

Weatherford’s only statistical advantage is in the category of punters that ended in touchbacks. Hayes has 10 while Weatherford has 27.

As a professional punter, Weatherford sparkled. In 10 NFL seasons (2006-2015), he averaged 44.5 yards per punt for the Giants, Saints, Jets, Jaguars and Chiefs. Only one of his 678 career punts has been blocked. Weatherford’s 30,159 career punting yards put him 63rd on the NFL’s all-time list.

Illini Career Punting Average Leaders (until September 11, 2021):

1. 43.6 yards per punt – Blake Hayes, 2017-present.

2. 43.5 – Steve Weatherford, 2002-05.

3.41.68 – Steve Fitts, 1998-2001.

4.41.62 – Justin DuVernois, 2011-14.

5. 40.9 – Ryan Tabloff, 1996-97.

6. 40.8 – Anthony Santella, 2007-10.

7. 40.3 – Bill Brown, 1958-60.

8. 40.1 – Ryan Frain, 2012-16.

9. 39.7 – JC Caroline, 1953-54.

10. 39.5 – Brett Larsen, 1992-95.

Illini birthdays:

Sunday: Rich Brooks, cross country / track and field (67).

Monday: Calvin Hart Jr., football (22).

Tuesday: Scott Spiezio, baseball (49).

Wednesday: Craig Tiley, tennis coach (60).

Thursday: Daniel Barker, football (22).

Friday: Kirby Wilson, football (60).

Saturday: Shadia Haddad, volleyball.

By Mike Pearson, author of Illini Legends, Lists & Lore (third edition now available in stores). Get more Illini birthdays, trivia and historical information daily on Twitter at @IlliniLegends and @ Spartifacts2021. Its website is www.SportsLLL.com.