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‘Absolute cheat code’: US fans lose their minds over historic feat by AFL great’s son

The son of an AFL great has sent America into meltdown after showing off his punting prowess by obliterating an all-time record.

Catherine Healey
2 min read
October 23, 2022 - 6:54PM
Mason Fletcher is making a name for himself in the US. Picture: Cincinnati Bearcats
Mason Fletcher is making a name for himself in the US. Picture: Cincinnati Bearcats

The son of Essendon great Dustin Fletcher is proving the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, with Mason Fletcher setting a new college football record in the US on Saturday.

NCAA fans were left in awe of Fletcher’s punt less than five yards out from his own end zone in the opening term of the Cincinnati Bearcats’ 29-27 win over SMU Mustangs.

The 84-yard punt is both a Bearcats and an American Athletic Conference all-time record and the longest punt seen in the country this season.

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Fletcher’s punt literally turned the field in a tight contest with the Bearcats going from their last line of defense to their end zone.

The humble punter took to social media to credit his coaches for his success.

“Appreciate everything this program and (Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell) has given me. Also appreciate my punt team, not possible without them,” he posted.

His 84-yard punt bettered his previous NCAA record of 54 yards set as a freshman last season.

Fletcher’s dad Dustin was known for his booming boot for the Bombers in his 400 AFL games for the club.

But his son’s back injury playing for the Calder Cannons in Australia’s Under 18s ensured Fletcher abandoned a possible AFL career to try his luck in the US, and the move is already paying off.

Fletcher accepted a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati in 2020 after skipping the 2019 AFL Draft.

He played in all 14 games during his first year as a freshman, punting at almost 43 yards on average – landing him fourth in the American Athletic Conference.

Now playing as a sophomore, Fletcher is averaging 49.2 yards a punt in his eight games so far this season, including five games where his best punt has been more than 50 yards.

It’s not the first time Fletcher has made American headlines, after his stunning performance in the Cotton Bowl – the College Football Playoff game – last season.

Fletcher had unleashed a massive 54-yard punt that trapped opponents Alabama inside their 10-yard line. And he celebrated in front of a massive TV audience of 19 million viewers with UFC star Conor McGregor’s trademark ‘billionaire strut’.

Fletcher finished Saturday’s NCAA game with 195 yards, at an average of 65 yards, in the Bearcats’ sixth win from seven matches this season.

He isn’t the only Fletcher to be playing college football in the US, with younger brother Max a punter for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Dustin Fletcher’s sons Max (left) and Mason (right) both wear his famous number 31 in the NCAA. Picture: Wesley Hitt
Dustin Fletcher’s sons Max (left) and Mason (right) both wear his famous number 31 in the NCAA. Picture: Wesley Hitt

Originally published as ‘Absolute cheat code’: US fans lose their minds over historic feat by AFL great’s son

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/american-sports/nfl/absolute-cheat-code-us-fans-lose-their-minds-over-historic-feat-by-afl-greats-son/news-story/8e1b8f1ccb6651c38c9affd48d63c40b