One of the most controversial endings in college football history, Colorado scored a last second touchdown on the last play of the game on mistakenly-given . 1990. All NFL TeamsNFL All NFL TeamsNFL Listen to The Game Before the Money Podcast! That's not happening. NFL Career Leaders - Punt Return Touchdowns. With this play against Tennessee in 2011, the Arkansas wide receiver and return specialist made the argument that he pulled off the best punt return in football history. College football: The best last-second, game-winning touchdown in The Kick Six (also known as Kick Bama Kick) was the final play of the 78th Iron Bowl college football game played on November 30, 2013 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.The game featured the No. Travis Etienne. Jameson also has to hold his part and make sure that hes doing everything that he needs to do. Keenum was granted a medical hardship in 2010 after tearing a knee ligament, but his five touchdowns over three games prior to injury count. Catch up on DI women's conference tourneys, There are a handful of FBS records and milestones that could be broken and reached this season, respectively. KEY: Gms = Games Played, Num = Kickoff Returns, Yds = Kickoff Return Yards, Avg = Kickoff Return Average, Lg = Longest Kickoff Return, TD = Kickoff Return Touchdowns, Yds/G = Kickoff Return Yards Per Game. If you don't, then you punt the ball. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. NFL Single Season Leaders - Kickoff Return Touchdowns 50 of the Most Memorable Touchdowns in College Football He has been covering the NFL for various outlets since 2000. Fipp said it sometimes makes more sense to use a complmentary player in a return role so they can devote more energy to the craft, and he cited former NFL receiver DeSean Jackson, who he coached with the Philadelphia Eagles, as an example. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. Statistics are current through the 2022 NFL season and include stats accrued in NFL, AFL and APFA games. And that wasn't even the most impressive part of the return. "The goal when we originally drafted him, we didnt know really how much we were going to get out of him but it was good to have him get some kind of game experience to kind of feel the speed of the game," Holmes said. Active players are listed in bold. Like, he wants to do everything. But others, at least on the surface, appear untouchable. "Obviously, it would be great to see him back there (as a returner) if thats what his role provides," Fipp said. 5th down. One of his players, Eric LeGrand, remains paralyzed from the neck down today due to an injury suffered on a kickoff last October. Not only is it remarkable that Burleson didn't reach the end zone that day, but in his previous game, he didn't catch a single pass, and in the game after he set this record, he had a pedestrian four catches for 23 yards. The Minnesota Vikings receiver was literally as far back into the endzone as he could be on an NFL field when he received this kickoff against the Green Bay Packers. Follow him on Twitter@davebirkett. You can't knock Schiano for wanting to make the game safer. Williams returned two kicks for touchdowns in his one season at Alabama, when he averaged 35.2 yards on 10 kick returns. Cooper wouldve had to post last seasons jaw-dropping numbers three consecutive seasons to pass Insley. The Cougars simply refused to run the football. Though I understand the safety concerns, it would be a shame to tear down a stage on which some of college football's most talented players have put in work. His 27.6 yards per kickoff and 13.6 yards per punt-return averages were solid but not eye-popping. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Do you have a blog? We support responsible gambling. He left Oklahoma as the school's career leader in punt return yards and tied Wes Welker and Ted Ginn Jr. for the FBS career record with eight total kick return touchdowns. We're going to double dip with Barry Sanders but this time it's a family affair. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Over the past eight months, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano has become the public face of a movement to eliminate the kickoff from college football. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Good luck figuring out exactly what happened in November 2001 and why. Most Kickoff Return Touchdowns In One Game | StatMuse In fact, he only scored two touchdowns in 2001, despite finishing the season with 53 receptions and 737 receiving yards. And I think the great players are like that, and they want to do all that stuff. Watch Newton go 49 yards against the LSU defense. "Hes done it. Why its untouchable: College footballs Heisman winner in 1999, Dayne topped 2,000 yards for the second time in his Big Ten career to finish with an incredible NCAA-record 7,125 yards on the ground on a record-breaking 1,220 carries. CLICK HERE````````````````````````, Titans Looking To Evolve Analytically: Changes in how the Titans view things are coming. 2023 NCAA | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. College football bold predictions with B/R's Adam Kramer, FBS records and milestones that could be broken and reached this season, 5 predictions for the 2021 college football season, College football's longest active road winning streaks, Georgia wins the 2023 CFP National Championship, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). Do you have a sports website? Punts are a much, much less physical play.". List of NCAA football records - Wikipedia Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Michigan had narrowed Notre Dames lead to a single point right before halftime, but Rockets first touchdown returned stretched the Irishs lead to 14-6. Ten players have done that in NFL history. ROAD WARRIORS: College football's longest active road winning streaks, Record: 3,690 rushing yardsRecord-holder: Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State and Byron Sanders, NorthwesternSeason: 1988. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said Williams is on par with Cleveland Browns receiver Jakeem Grant as the fastest player he's ever coached. (Jones-Drew's 91-yard kickoff return TD in that same game was understandably overshadowed.). All rights reserved. Find out more. We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. The next year, his Heisman year, Sanders took the opening kickoff in the opening game back 100 yards for a score against Miami-Ohio. Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS. While his special teams coach may have been upset, Cobb rewarded him with a dazzling play, using his 4.46-second 40-yard dash time to blaze by the New Orleans Saints defense. The record? Ranking Titans' Best Draft Classes: No. 3 The 2005 Group Anchored By In order for this record to fall and reminder, this is two brothers and even a family with three active FBS running backs would struggle to best the Sanders' combined total it would likely take a pair of brothers to each make a run at a 2,000-yard season in the same season. The Lane College alum ratcheted up his speed at the 15-yard line and bursted through a small seam in between the 49ers special teams front line. It is the most violent, video-friendly, terrifying, electrifying, dangerous and dramatic play in football. To start things off, Jones commited what many special teams coaches say is the biggest mistake for all return mendont take the ball out of the endzone if you catch it over five yards deep. Active players are listed in bold. Why its untouchable: Klingler set several single-game and career passing records during his time at Houston (that were later broken), but this one could be his most notable. Record: 326 yardsRecord-holder: Nate Burleson, NevadaSeason: 2001. In 1988, "Prime Time" led the nation in punt-return average and left FSU as the school's all-time leader in punt return yards. A kickoff return for a touchdown is one of the most exciting plays in football. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Feel free to disagree because that's part of what this is about. Statistics are current through the 2022 NFL season and include stats accrued in NFL, AFL and APFA games. Here are seven FBS records that (we think) will never be broken. I sat in awe, refreshing ESPN.coms GameTracker last season after every carry from Melvin Gordon, waiting on Wisconsins star running back to surpass the 400-yard barrier and inch closer to Ladainian Tomlinsons all-time mark. As a senior, Keenum was spectacular, throwing 48 touchdowns passes to just five interceptions a ratio of nearly 10:1. Or write about sports? It's also worth noting that numerous Nevada players from the 1990s and early 2000s hold FBS passing and receiving records, so Van Dyke's record might be a case of the right player in the right system in the right era, which is why it may never be topped. 2020 NFL Team Kickoff Return Statistics | The Football Database Because when I was a kid, he was the guy who made me think returners were supposed to take punts and kickoffs back for touchdowns on a regular basis. Brown probably wouldn't have become the first receiver to win the Heisman (1987) without his contributions on special teams. The score marked the first time an opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl history. The Game Before the Money Radio Showshared outstanding college football records. Daynes record is safe. SHAWN WINDSOR:Lions' brass has a plan. The football gods skipped over this game pitting the nations best team against a small college from Tennessee at legendary Grant Field and let the bloodletting continue for four horrific quarters. The day before Halloween 2004, from the press box at Washington State's Martin Stadium, I watched him run into a crowd on a punt return on a wet field, then with one cut, leave a trail of flailing arms and jockstraps on his way to the end zone. 10 unbreakable records in college football - Saturday Down South That dipped last season with 13 returns for 270 yards and 20.8 yards. (Looking at you, Liberty quarterback Malik Willis, Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder, and Ohio State wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.). Find out more. Lions coach Dan Campbell said he planned to use Williams as a gunner on punt team in his first NFL game, but the Lions never got the opportunity as the Jacksonville Jaguars failed to force a punt. Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Pro Football Reference Database. 3 running back Justin Jackson as their top kick returner last season. Stats: 2,854 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 1,473 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns, 42 receiving yards, receiving touchdown Newton got his one SEC chance after his troubled time. Detroit Lions could have interesting plan for Jameson Williams in 2023 As a junior in 2005, Jones-Drew set the FBS single-season markby averaging 28.5 yards per punt return. Ismail could dance away from contact when he had to, and he had the strength to break tackles, but his style was more like Eric Dickerson. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Schiano, like anybody who cares about football, cares about the welfare of the players. Thomas is a member of both the College Football and NFL Hall of Fame. Build your own custom leaderboards with Stathead Football. Mitchell was a full-time quarterback at Louisiana-Lafayette. You should have watched the Ohio Stadium crowd any time Ted Ginn Jr. went back to field a kick. We present them here for purely educational purposes. ), is safe in our opinion. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. College Football: The 15 Most Electrifying Kick Returners of the Last Build your own custom leaderboards with Stathead Football, Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE. Ismail dashed for 88 yards on that kickoff. See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. In 1997 he totaled a Super Bowl-record 90 punt return yards and 154 kickoff return yards with one . Rushing for 1,500 yards in a season is a terrific accomplishment for a player one likely to earn the player all-conference, if not All-America, honors. On Wednesday, Lions general manager Brad Holmes praised Williams' "rare talent, rare ability (and) serious passion for the game," and said the team was "expecting big things" from last year's No. Burleson's effort against San Jose State ranks tied for eighth all-time in single-game receiving yards and yet, he never made it to the end zone. CLICK HERE. NFL Kick Returns for Touchdown Single Game Leaders Hester danced his way around defenders like a true artistcutting side to side, running backwards, spinning out of tacklesbefore breaking free and taking the ball into the endzone. Dwight's style wasn't gracefulhe was reminiscent of one of those old NFL Films segments starring Crazy Legs Hirschbut he got where he needed to go in a hurry. 4-ranked Auburn Tigers (10-1, 6-1 in the SEC). As a senior, Keenum was spectacular, throwing 48. The guy loves playing. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. NCAA Individual Records for Scoring | College Football at Sports In an interview with an Atlanta radio station. Another score against Missouri later that year gave Perkins the FBS single-season record for punt return TDs. The Irish victory at Michigan in front of over 105,000 fans made Norte Dame the first school to defeat Michigan head coach Bo Schembechler in three straight seasons. He made everybody miss twice against Michigan. But the NCAA told me none of it ever happened, so maybe I was just dreaming. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. 12 overall pick in 2023. Notre Dame beat Michigan 24-19 on that day in a battle of the nations top two ranked teams. 2022 The Game Before the Money All Rights Reserved. Raymond Clayborn (3/1977), 3. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. Welker scored eight touchdowns on punt returns in his career ('00-03), tying the FBS record. 2,850 rushing yards is more than anyone's ever gained at any level of college or pro football. Why its untouchable: Insley, the NCAAs all-time receiving yards leader, managed just 574 yards as a freshman in 1996 before exploding for 4,431 yards and 30 touchdowns over his final three seasons. Interpreted as: most kickoff return touchdowns by a playerin one regular-seasongame this season See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. Green Bay Packers wideout Randall Cobb was anxious to get his pro career startedso anxious that he brought out a kickoff after receiving it eight yards deep in the end zone. It takes speed to return kicks well, but it also takes field vision, anticipation, agility, and some video game-like juke moves. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 6:41AM. Return to Top; Players. Could Top QB Fall To The Titans? NASHVILLE - It's time to reveal our No.3 class in the top-ten draft classes of the Titans history countdown. That year, he took the opening kickoff of the opening game back for a TD against Tulsa. One of the college football's best receivers in 2021, Williams. Who holds it: Derrick Thomas, Alabama, 1988 UTEP has been on the wrong end of several FBS records former Houston quarterback Case Keenum holds the record for the most career passing yards gained against one opponent (1,882 yards against UTEP) and former TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson has the record for career rushing yards against one opponent (788 yards against UTEP) but the Miners are also in the FBS record book for positive reasons, too. Twenty-five players in college football history have run two kickoffs back for touchdowns in the same game. Jameis Winston led Florida State to 29 consecutive victories during his tenure, an impressive streak snapped in violent fashion by Oregon in last years first College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl. In 2010, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Single game leaders only reflect years for which we have complete boxscore data (1950 onward), all playoff games, and all 100 yard rushing/receiving or 300 yard passing games from 1940-1959. Or write about sports? It shouldn't include Jalen Ramsey. In 2019, Wright finished with 10 returns for 380 yards, 38 yards per return and two touchdowns. None of the members of this class will ever hear their names called in Canton, but as a group, and what they provided for the Titans, even though small in some cases, was a solid class top to bottom that played some excellent football and were part of some good, but not great Titans teams. I mean, when you talk to him theres one thing I love about him. Find out more. But to do so in just five games is potentially unsustainable, and that's why Sanders' record, amid a season in which he rushed for 2,628 yards in just 11 games (! NO REGRETS:Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn content even if head coach jobs never materialize. + Indicates Hall of Famer, season age in parentheses, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 2:32PM. For those that don't know, a kick return touchdown is when the kickoff retu. Or write about sports? We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Or write about sports? And unfortunately, its days may be numbered. NFL Kick Returns for Touchdown Single Game Leaders All-Time Kick Returns for Touchdown Leaders Build your own custom leaderboards with Stathead Football. 1-ranked and two-time defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0, 7-0 in the SEC) as a 10-point favorite over the No. In an interview with an Atlanta radio station last week, he again laid out his proposal: "Instead of having a kickoff, every place where you would have a kickoff now, you would put in place a 4th-and-15 situation. Do you have a sports website? Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Insane. Their role on special teams is more influenced by offense and defense than it is on what he can do on teams.". During his freshman and sophomore seasons, Jones-Drew averaged over 26 yards per kickoff return, and by the time he went pro, he had scored seven return touchdowns. Hester may not be the fastest person to ever play football, but I don't think I've seen anybody run faster on a football field. And that really wasn't even his best year as a kick-returner. 1 spot on this list? Interview quotes are usually edited for length and clarity. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions. Raghib Rocket Ismail from Notre Dame returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in a 1988 game against Rice. Hester set the NFL record for most return touchdowns (combining kickoffs and punts) with 20 over the course of his career, and one of his best came in Super Bowl XLIwhich was played in. 1 on that list? Here are 10 current college football records one man at SDS has deemed unbreakable: Who holds it: Oklahoma, from 1953-57 Keenum was granted a medical hardship in 2010 after tearing a knee ligament, but his five touchdowns over three games prior to injury count. Racked up 1,522 kickoff return yards, 559 punt return yards and four kick-return touchdowns in three seasons. Why its untouchable: Houston quarterback David Klinglers single-game FBS passing record of 716 yards stood for nearly 25 years before Halliday, a lesser-known quarterback and Air Raid product, eclipsed the mark last season. The Human Joystick made video-game like moves on the field and one of his most impressive returns came against the Denver Broncos in 2003the same season in which he set a record by returning a kickoff or a punt for a touchdown four games in a row. Most episodes include stories from legendary football stars. Ill be a gunner. The University of Miami alum was in his first season of the NFL, and he made the Rams pay for kicking him the ball. It shouldn't include Jalen Ramsey. But scan through the FBS record book and you'll find other records in the highest level of college football that are likely so untouchable either due to rule changes and the evolution of the game, or due to a flash of brilliance (or the opposite of brilliance) that we think they'll stand in the history books forever. Josh Cribbs (3/2009), Sports Reference Baseball Football(college) Basketball(college) Hockey Ftbol Blog Stathead Questions or Comments? Ten players have done that in NFL history. Rossum played 12 years in the NFL, where he made the Pro Bowl as a return specialist and ranks second all-time in combined kick return yardage. Who holds it: Houston offense led by QB Andre Ware in 1990 Reaves led the SEC in passing yards and attempts all three seasons in Gainesville and is the leagues all-time leader in interceptions thrown with 59. Kickoff Return Touchdowns Single Season Leaders and Records An asterisk (*) after a player's name indicates bowl stats are included. SEC Women's Basketball Tournament action suspended due to weather delay, Alabama basketball adds commitment from 4-star forward, 2 SEC players named to late-season watch list for Oscar Robertson Player of the Year Trophy, Bruce Pearl tosses headset during radio interview after Auburn-Alabama game, Overrated? Keenums NCAA record of 1,546 career completions also wont be touched. The longtime Chicago Bears return man forced teams to think hard about kicking him the ballhis electrifying speed and agility made him arguably the best kick returner of all time. 14. . NFL Kick Returns for Touchdown Single-Season Leaders About Saturday Down South | Ethics and Editorial Standards | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Other Conferences: Big Ten | ACC | Pac-12. "Theyre like, 'Well, just throw him back there.' Travis Williams (4/1967), 3. Detroit Lions RB Jamaal Williams' autograph signing. Twenty-five players in college football history have run two kickoffs back for touchdowns in the same game. Why its untouchable: Youve got to feel for Reaves, the Gators errant passer who tossed nine completions to the opposing defense at Auburn in 1969. Jacoby Jones has had a few standout returns in his career, and this one against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII might be his most impressive. Jackson was one of the NFL's best return men early in his career, but less effective as a returner after taking on a bigger role at receiver. Washington also returned a punt 99 yards for a touchdown later in that game, setting a team record with two return scores in the same game. Join our linker program. As a senior, he won the Mosi Tatupu Award as the nation's top special teams player. Who holds it: Ron Dayne, Wisconsin, 1996-99 Hester set the NFL record for most return touchdowns (combining kickoffs and punts) with 20 over the course of his career, and one of his best came in Super Bowl XLIwhich was played in Miami, where Hester went to collegeagainst the Indianapolis Colts. The return marked the longest punt return touchdown in NFL history. The return went for 109 yards, setting a record for the longest play in NFL history. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. I want to be the punt returner, too. Ouch. The following are the 2020 NFL team kickoff return statistics. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Gordons incredible 408-yard performance through three quarters, no less against Nebraska was short-lived. That same season, his best game came in week 15 against Jacksonville, where he had an 83-yard interception return for a score, a 70-yard kick return, and broke up a touchdown pass to save the game. + Indicates Hall of Famer, season age in parentheses, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 2:32PM. Those gargantuan numbers would only be approached within a pass-happy offense with literally two or fewer reliable targets. So why is "Rocket" holding down the No. NFL Career Leaders - Punt Return Touchdowns - FootballDB.com Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp embraced the idea of incorporating Williams into a return role next season, when the team expects him fully healthy after missing most of last season while rehabbing from a torn ACL. UTEP quarterback Brooks Dawson once threw a touchdown pass on six consecutive attempts against New Mexico and what makes it really unbreakable is that he started the game 6-for-6 with six touchdowns. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 7 college football records *we think* will never be broken Like, 'Damn, I dont think I got that in me right now,' as opposed to the guy whos coming off the bench and like, 'Dude, I just want to play right now. As a receiver, Williams caught one pass for a 41-yard touchdown last season, had three drops on nine targets and had one carry for 40 yards. Fast, flashy and fearless, Howardaveraged 27.9 yards per kickoff return and 16.2 per punt return in his Wolverines career ('89-91), scoring three return TDs. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. With the game still tied between these two top-10 teams, Cam Newton did what he did best in 2010, take over a game with a game changing play. Brandon Jones, who physically looked the part, and Damien Nash were the only two real misses in this class. The former Seattle Seahawks running back was ready to go on the opening kickoff of this game against the San Diego Chargers. ', "There's just a difference in there, and that difference makes an exponential difference on the field of play with the whole group.". Offenses rarely get six possessions in a quarter, much less time to throw it to the end zone six different times. Beforehis breakout Heisman season (1988), Barry played backup to Thurman Thomas and made his mark on special teams. Barry Sanders' 1988 Heisman: 44 reasons it's the greatest ever - Banner Do you have a blog? If any quarterback is going to approach this record in the future, hell be another Mike Leach understudy. He finished his college career ('03-05)averaging 25.5 yards per kickoff return and 15.6 per punt return, with six return touchdowns. Raghib "Rocket" Ismail Holds Record for Most Games With Two Kickoff Returns for Touchdowns His career punt-return average (23.2) ranks second all-time nationally. Who holds it: No. Williams returned two kicks for touchdowns in his one season at Alabama, when he averaged 35.2 yards on 10 kick returns. That season, he averaged 19.8 yards per kickoff return and scored three TDs on punt returns. As a senior in 1997, Rossum finished fourth nationally in kickoff-return average; as a junior he led the country in punt-return average. Baltimore Ravens ground game rules in NFL Week 11 and more Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Pro Football Reference Database. East Carolina's Bryson Worrell kicked off the first round of the DI baseball tournament with a bang, not once, but twice against Greenville Regional opponent Coppin State. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 6:41AM. Ismails first touchdown return against Michigan was the first kickoff returned for a touchdown against the Wolverines since 1957 over 30 years before Rockets epic launch.