Ratliff Earns Sun Belt Special Teams Honor After Career Performance

Image courtesy Of App State Facebook

Appalachian State punter Ian Ratliff received Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week recognition following his exceptional performance in the Mountaineers’ 26-24 victory over Marshall on Saturday.

Career-Long Punt Shifts Momentum

Ratliff’s fourth-quarter punt traveled 70 yards to the 1-yard line, marking App State’s first punt of 70-plus yards since current NFL punter Sam Martin’s 74-yarder against Wofford in 2009. The career-long boot forced Marshall to begin a critical drive from the shadow of its own end zone with approximately nine minutes remaining.

The Thundering Herd managed two first downs before defensive lineman Caleb Sandstrom wrestled the ball away from backup quarterback Zion Turner on a rushing attempt at the Marshall 40-yard line. The forced fumble set up App State’s game-winning possession that began with 5:33 remaining.

Consistent Excellence Throughout Contest

Ratliff punted six times for a 47.7-yard average, placing two kicks inside the 20-yard line while maintaining a 46.7-yard net average. Three of his punts, measuring 54, 48, and 48 yards, resulted in fair catches, demonstrating his ability to limit return opportunities.

Beyond his punting duties, Ratliff served as holder for the field goal unit that converted the go-ahead kick with 2:02 remaining, providing the winning margin in the Mountaineers’ narrow victory.

Recognition for Complete Performance

The award recognizes not only Ratliff’s game-changing 70-yard punt but also his overall consistency and contributions across multiple special teams phases. His ability to pin Marshall deep, combined with his reliable holding on field goals, played crucial roles in App State securing just its second Sun Belt Conference victory of the season.

The longest punt of Ratliff’s career was App State’s first punt of 70-plus yards since current NFL punter Sam Martin had a 74-yarder against Wofford in 2009. That forced the Thundering Herd to start a drive from the shadow of its own end zone with about nine minutes remaining, and it picked up two first downs, but defensive lineman Caleb Sandstrom wrestled the ball away from backup quarterback Zion Turner on a rush to the Thundering Herd 40, setting up App State’s go-ahead possession that began with 5:33 remaining.

The honor marks a bright spot for the Mountaineers’ special teams unit during a challenging campaign, showcasing the impact that exceptional punting can have on field position battles and game outcomes.