WATCH: Saints block punt and score TD with Steve Gleason in stands

The Saints took a 14-0 lead over the Falcons on this blocked punt.

By Sean Wagner-McGough

Oct 15, 2015 at 9:09 pm ET • 1 min read

The Saints are 1-4 and the Falcons are 5-0. But in the first quarter of their game on Thursday night, the Saints sure looked like the team gunning for a 6-0 record, as they quickly jumped out to a 14-0 lead.

And really, it couldn't have happened in a better way for the Saints. After running back Mark Ingram ran in the first touchdown of the game, the Saints special teams pushed the margin to 14 with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.

Yep, with Steve Gleason in attendance, the Saints' Michael Mauti blocked a punt in the first quarter and returned it for a touchdown. That should sound familiar, as that's exactly what Gleason did in the Saints' first home game after Hurricane Katrina.

Here's what Mauti, a New Orleans native, did on Thursday night.

**PUNT BLOCK FOR A TD ALERT** The Falcons just wanted to punt it. Michael Mauti had other ideas. #ATLvsNO #TNF http://t.co/S9GWUb2StK
— NFL (@NFL) October 16, 2015

Punt block for a TD in the Superdome vs. the Falcons? @TeamGleason, we knew that looked familiar... #ATLvsNO #TNF http://t.co/QoWomKIVxq
— NFL (@NFL) October 16, 2015

Even more impressive: Mauti appeared to block the punt before Matt Bosher's foot even made contact with the football.

This was *before* the ball made it to Matt Bosher's foot. pic.twitter.com/JCsxQPYL6R
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurke_SI) October 16, 2015

As previously mentioned, Gleason was there to see it, as he was honored before the game.

Tonight's #TNF opening tributes the unflinching resolve of Steve Gleason and The Rebirth of New Orleans. http://t.co/fwu3gcq3SU
— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2015

And the ex-Saints special teams ace had some advice for the Falcons after the momentum-changing play.