Somebody needs to teach Georgia Tech punt returner Rodney Shelley how to fair catch a punt. His life may depend on it.
In the third quarter of today’s game between Georgia Tech and Florida State, the Seminoles punted from around midfield. Shelley was waiting to receive the ball near the 10-yard line and probably thought he had enough room to make a return.
He did not.
Florida State running back/special teams gunner Demetric Stephens got a clean run at Shelley and ran into him at full speed.
Shelley got leveled by Stephens’ hit and couldn’t get so much as an inch on a return as the crowd at Aviva Stadium in Dublin collectively gasped.
Watch (via @CFBRep):
Georgia Tech’s punt returner got LAID OUT. 😳 pic.twitter.com/aa7qIYbyXz
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) August 24, 2024
Just about everyone agreed that Shelley needs to learn how and when to fair catch a punt:
“Kid has never heard of a fair catch,” one user wrote.
“He should have called for the fair catch,” wrote another.
Others just plain loved the big hit:
“What a hit,” replied a user.
“Put that stick on him!” another said.
For what it’s worth Shelley had only returned a handful of punts for the Yellow Jackets in his career heading into today’s game.
It worked out for the Yellow Jackets in the end. They marched down the field 89 yards for a lead-taking touchdown after that big hit.
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