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On further review, the "butt punt" was just a shoulder shank
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
From the “Facts can spoil a good story” file comes this revelation: Youngstown State’s infamous “butt punt” never actually hit anyone’s butt.
Senior Joey Cejudo’s rugby-style punt into tight end Jacob Wood’s backside during last week’s game at Illinois garnered attention from several national websites, including ESPN (where the highlight was, briefly, the site’s most popular video), Fox Sports, the Sporting News and Sports Illustrated.
Just one problem.
“It actually hit off my shoulder,” Wood said.
So, the “butt punt” was actually the “shoulder punt,” which isn’t exactly the type of thing that trends on Twitter.
“Yeah, that wouldn’t get as many headlines,” senior tight end Nate Adams said.
Cejudo was 3-for-3 on field goals and averaged 38.3 yards on seven punts (with two inside the 20) in his first game as Nick Liste’s replacement. He also had two touchbacks on four kickoffs and assisted on a tackle during a kickoff return.
The performance was enough to win the Missouri Valley’s special teams player of the week, but it wasn’t enough to overshadow the blunder from down under.
(Wait. That’s no good. How about “the booty boot”?)
“We joked with him [Cejudo] a little bit about it,” senior wide receiver Jelani Berassa said. “But it was a negative play, so the jokes came later on.”
Aloha means jealousy
After playing at Iowa in its opener, Missouri Valley Football Conference member Northern Iowa will play at Hawaii on Saturday night, garnering insane jealousy from YSU beat reporters whose itinerary includes too many states that end in the word “Dakota.”
“That would be a good one to get,” YSU coach Eric Wolford said of a Hawaii game. “I just don’t know what the payday would be like. We might spend all of our money flying over there.
“I’ve made that trip to Hawaii and from Manhattan, Kansas, it was a long time. I can’t imagine from Youngstown what it would be like. But maybe we could get that done.”
According to the Des Moines Register, Hawaii will pay the Panthers $150,000 for the game, along with $30,000 for meals. Hawaii also covers airfare and rooms.
“The game itself is attractive from a financial standpoint,” UNI athletic director Troy Dannen told the newspaper. “From that standpoint, we benefit more financially than if we were to play a MAC or a Sun Belt or a Conference USA team. It was a no-brainer for us.”
From the MVFC to the NFL
There are 16 former Missouri Valley players on NFL rosters, not including those on practice squads or on injured reserve.
Miami Dolphins defensive back Brandian Ross is the lone Penguin on an active roster, although Oakland Raiders guard Lamar Mady is on the practice squad.
Overall, there are 124 former FCS players in the NFL.