SmashMouth

When Steve Gleason blocked the punt against Atlanta to re-open the Mercedes-Benz Superdome after Hurricane Katrina in September 2006, Michael Mauti was playing for coach Guy LeCompte at Mandeville High School. Little did he know he'd perform a little Throwback Thursday flashback nine years later in another win over the Saints' rival, this one 31-21, as Gleason watched from field level.

With the New Orleans Saints leading 7-0 late in the first quarter, Mauti ran through the Falcons' line on fourth down, slammed a Matt Bosher punt attempt to the turf and rumbled in 4 yards for a touchdown to send the crowd into an uncontrollable tizzy.

"That's just one of those plays that doesn't come around often," said Mauti, whose father, Rich, was a wide receiver and punt returner for the Saints from 1977-83. "I hit the ground, looked and the ball was right there. All of a sudden, I picked it up and just started running with it."





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