Is the new "JET" trophy out

[Herbie's Daddy]

Is the picture of the tropy in the story on the front page a rendition or is that a pic of the actual one already made up for this years winner? It looked like the helmet of the returner had "N"s on it......couldn't really tell - no side shot. I know the Rimington tropy is made from Riola's body and Rimington's head, but there is not an N on the helmet

[JHudson]

Is the picture of the tropy in the story on the front page a rendition or is that a pic of the actual one already made up for this years winner? It looked like the helmet of the returner had "N"s on it......couldn't really tell - no side shot. I know the Rimington tropy is made from Riola's body and Rimington's head, but there is not an N on the helmet

From the press release:

“The Jet” award trophy was designed and cast by Omaha artist Joe Putjenter and depicts Rodgers’ escape from OU’s Greg Pruitt in the

1971 NU/OU game

.

[JHudson]

If you're Pruitt, you're probably thinking there's gotta be a better way to become immortalized on a trophy

[Herbie's Daddy]

I know Joe's son....Dan. Really cool guy!

[YellowDent#2]

Way to go, Johnny! This award has been a long time coming. It shoudl spur some young men to greater heights and efforts.

[Lavaman]

You would think there would be an award for this already but I'm glad NU got to put its mark on it. Maybe a Husker can win the first one.

[Nebraska Jack]

Sweet!

[DuckTownHusker]

If any Husker's gonna win it, it'll be Abdullah.

[Lavaman]

If any Husker's gonna win it, it'll be Abdullah.

Man that was huge, the move he put on the kicker makes me laugh every time, talk about broken ankles lol... If he and someone like Turner can become legitimate return threats it will make NU that much tougher to prepare for and beat. We already know that Maher is a proven commodity at kicker and punter, if we can eliminate the bad tackling that was sometimes displayed by the younger guys on coverages last year and we continue to see electrifying plays like this one^^^^^ on returns increase in frequency NU will be back to where we were during the 90's in special teams. A good special teams unit can change a game like Ameer's return against Fresno, but what we need is consistent plays like this (1 or more a game) for the entire season. Between Abdullah, Bell, and Turner we have the weapons to score frequently in the return game, and if not score at least set up favorable field position.

[Paramus]

So an organization from Omaha creates a new award for the best returner in College football. Of course they are going to be biased and claim that JR's punt return was the greatest ever using the criteria that it occured during the "greatest game ever." To me it seems like the award was created as much to promote the NU/OU 71 game as the true "Game of the century" as much as it is to honor the best returner in CF. Oh, well....since Nebraskans created the award I guess they are entitled to use it to bring recognition to whoever they want. I understand the winner gets a free trip to Omaha....will anyone really want to win this award?

Anyway...the JR punt return was a bit controversial. There were two potential clips on the play, and if either had been called, then this award most likely would not have been created, and perhaps NU would not have won that game in 1971. On the video (below) the first potential clip is on the punter, Joe Wylie, #22 (at mid field), and the 2nd one is on John Harrrison #12 (at the end of the play). I do not think that either one was a clip...they were both good "no calls", but they were close, and either one could have been called. Wylie definitely got blocked in the back but it was because he turned his back to the blocker just before the block as he was trying to change direction to tackle Rogers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJOlzDJiaDw


Here are two other points of view on the play...one from a fan from Tulsa Oklahoma and one from an article written by the Journals Star's Brian Christopherson back in 2001 when he was a writer for the Daily Nebraskan:

1. Dan Jenkins indicated that Joe Wylie was the last man to have a shot at tackling Johnny Rodgers on the first-quarter punt return. But the photograph on page 24 showed that the last Oklahoma defender with a chance was Jon Harrison, No. 12.

Films of the game have clearly and conclusively shown that Wylie was taken out of the play with a clip only 10 or 15 yards from where Rodgers gathered in the punt. John Atkins cut Wylie down from behind just as the Sooner speedster was ready to spill Rodgers. The intention here is not to downgrade a brilliant Cornhusker performance, only to correct a misconception.
BILL SHANKS JR., Tulsa

2. From the 2001 Daily Nebraskan......"To many Oklahomans though, that Rodgers return made them sick to their stomach.

"The game had some controversial plays," said Bob Barry, the voice of the Sooners since 1961. "There were two alleged clips around these parts on the Rodgers return."

Clips? This must be news to Nebraskans. Thirty years later and you're going to bring the clip theory into play? Still questioned in the southern plains is a block delivered downfield on OU running back and punter Joe Wylie and the touchdown springing block delivered by NU cornerback Joe Blahak.

"From my vantage point, I saw a clip or two," Oklahoma quarterback Jack Mildren said. "But as my father the philosopher always said, 'I didn't see a flag. Did you?'"

Not surprisingly, Kinney said the play was clean. Even Wylie admitted he was only "half-blocked" anyway. Wylie said his falling down on the play can be more attributed to a half-dive attempt to tackle the slippery Rodgers."

Boisie State could create a new award for " The best blue football field in CF"....I'll bet they would win every year and bring recognition to their CF tradition at the same time......same principal that is being used by this new "best returner" award IMHO.

Nebraskans long for national recognition. It all started back in the 1920's when they started scheduling football games with Eastern teams like Pittsburg and Nortre Dame to get publicity from the Eastern press. That longing continues to this day, and this new award is evidence of that. The award is a "national award". It will be covered by the national media, and it will annually recognize the exploits of JR and the 1971 team for as long as the award exists. Not saying it is good or bad....just saying it is what it is.

[Herbie's Daddy]

So an organization from Omaha creates a new award for the best returner in College football. Of course they are going to be biased and claim that JR's punt return was the greatest ever using the criteria that it occured during the "greatest game ever." To me it seems like the award was created as much to promote the NU/OU 71 game as the true "Game of the century" as much as it is to honor the best returner in CF. Oh, well....since Nebraskans created the award I guess they are entitled to use it to bring recognition to whoever they want. I understand the winner gets a free trip to Omaha....will anyone really want to win this award?

Anyway...the JR punt return was a bit controversial. There were two potential clips on the play, and if either had been called, then this award most likely would not have been created, and perhaps NU would not have won that game in 1971. On the video (below) the first potential clip is on the punter, Joe Wylie, #22 (at mid field), and the 2nd one is on John Harrrison #12 (at the end of the play). I do not think that either one was a clip...they were both good "no calls", but they were close, and either one could have been called. Wylie definitely got blocked in the back but it was because he turned his back to the blocker just before the block as he was trying to change direction to tackle Rogers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJOlzDJiaDw


Here are two other points of view on the play...one from a fan from Tulsa Oklahoma and one from an article written by the Journals Star's Brian Christopherson back in 2001 when he was a writer for the Daily Nebraskan:

1. Dan Jenkins indicated that Joe Wylie was the last man to have a shot at tackling Johnny Rodgers on the first-quarter punt return. But the photograph on page 24 showed that the last Oklahoma defender with a chance was Jon Harrison, No. 12.

Films of the game have clearly and conclusively shown that Wylie was taken out of the play with a clip only 10 or 15 yards from where Rodgers gathered in the punt. John Atkins cut Wylie down from behind just as the Sooner speedster was ready to spill Rodgers. The intention here is not to downgrade a brilliant Cornhusker performance, only to correct a misconception.
BILL SHANKS JR., Tulsa

2. From the 2001 Daily Nebraskan......"To many Oklahomans though, that Rodgers return made them sick to their stomach.

"The game had some controversial plays," said Bob Barry, the voice of the Sooners since 1961. "There were two alleged clips around these parts on the Rodgers return."

Clips? This must be news to Nebraskans. Thirty years later and you're going to bring the clip theory into play? Still questioned in the southern plains is a block delivered downfield on OU running back and punter Joe Wylie and the touchdown springing block delivered by NU cornerback Joe Blahak.

"From my vantage point, I saw a clip or two," Oklahoma quarterback Jack Mildren said. "But as my father the philosopher always said, 'I didn't see a flag. Did you?'"

Not surprisingly, Kinney said the play was clean. Even Wylie admitted he was only "half-blocked" anyway. Wylie said his falling down on the play can be more attributed to a half-dive attempt to tackle the slippery Rodgers."

Boisie State could create a new award for " The best blue football field in CF"....I'll bet they would win every year and bring recognition to their CF tradition at the same time......same principal that is being used by this new "best returner" award IMHO.

Nebraskans long for national recognition. It all started back in the 1920's when they started scheduling football games with Eastern teams like Pittsburg and Nortre Dame to get publicity from the Eastern press. That longing continues to this day, and this new award is evidence of that. The award is a "national award". It will be covered by the national media, and it will annually recognize the exploits of JR and the 1971 team for as long as the award exists. Not saying it is good or bad....just saying it is what it is.

Where are you from Paramus???

[Husker Poyer]

Where are you from Paramus???

I assume the 7th level of hell, but have been wrong before.

[Paramus]

I assume the 7th level of hell, but have been wrong before.

Please.....try not to let the truth upset you. It can be bad for your health. Keep in mind HP, personal attacks are not allowed on this board...so try to keep it clean. Shame on You!

The bottom line is this....if JR had not made that fantastic punt return in 1971, then the Nebraska fans who invented this new "returner" trophy would not have been motivated or inspired to create it. The trophy is a replica of the JR punt return and it honors what he did in 1971 as much as it honors what returners will do this year and for years to come. I would say the primary motivation behind this award was to do something to honor and give recognition to JR, the 1971 team, NU football, and the state of Nebraska in general. The secondary motivation is to honor the best returner in the CF each year. There is not doubt in my mind that the inventers of this award would not have established the award had it not been for the JR punt return and the opportunity this award gives to honor that achievement.

As far as Nebraskans longing to get national recognition and respect for their homeland.....here's some more evidence. Remember when ESPN did a 32-team tournament to determine the best CF team of all time? The winners of each game was determined by fan vote. Do you remember the result? the two teams who made the finals were 1971 Nebraska and 1995 Nebraska. Kirk Herbstreet was very upset about that. Here was an opportunity for Nebraskans to tell the nation that Nebraska and NU football are top notch, and they voted like crazy. That event made it obvious that national recognition of the homeland is important to Nebraskans.

Now, I am not saying there is anything wrong with that. It's just me makling an observation. I am a native Nebraskan and I am as big a promoter of all things Nebraska as there is here in New Jersey where I live. As a youngster in 1971 I remember watching that JR punt return live and in living black and white, and it was one of the most exiting things I ever experienced.

So as I think about it, almost all of these college football awards have a name associated with them....Remington Award, Heisman Trophy, Butkus award, and so forth. There is no doubt the JR punt return was one of the best ever, so it is appropriate to have his name tied to the trophy. I think the trophy is a good idea, it recognizes a special skill, and it is long overdue. However i also recognize that motive behind the creation of this award goes beyond recognizing this special skill....there was also a motivation by the creators to gain recognition for their homeland (which is also my homeland). Do you honestly disagree with that, Mr. HP?

[SealBeachHusker]

So an organization from Omaha creates a new award for the best returner in College football. Of course they are going to be biased and claim that JR's punt return was the greatest ever using the criteria that it occured during the "greatest game ever." To me it seems like the award was created as much to promote the NU/OU 71 game as the true "Game of the century" as much as it is to honor the best returner in CF. Oh, well....since Nebraskans created the award I guess they are entitled to use it to bring recognition to whoever they want. I understand the winner gets a free trip to Omaha....will anyone really want to win this award?

Anyway...the JR punt return was a bit controversial. There were two potential clips on the play, and if either had been called, then this award most likely would not have been created, and perhaps NU would not have won that game in 1971. On the video (below) the first potential clip is on the punter, Joe Wylie, #22 (at mid field), and the 2nd one is on John Harrrison #12 (at the end of the play). I do not think that either one was a clip...they were both good "no calls", but they were close, and either one could have been called. Wylie definitely got blocked in the back but it was because he turned his back to the blocker just before the block as he was trying to change direction to tackle Rogers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJOlzDJiaDw


Here are two other points of view on the play...one from a fan from Tulsa Oklahoma and one from an article written by the Journals Star's Brian Christopherson back in 2001 when he was a writer for the Daily Nebraskan:

1. Dan Jenkins indicated that Joe Wylie was the last man to have a shot at tackling Johnny Rodgers on the first-quarter punt return. But the photograph on page 24 showed that the last Oklahoma defender with a chance was Jon Harrison, No. 12.

Films of the game have clearly and conclusively shown that Wylie was taken out of the play with a clip only 10 or 15 yards from where Rodgers gathered in the punt. John Atkins cut Wylie down from behind just as the Sooner speedster was ready to spill Rodgers. The intention here is not to downgrade a brilliant Cornhusker performance, only to correct a misconception.
BILL SHANKS JR., Tulsa

2. From the 2001 Daily Nebraskan......"To many Oklahomans though, that Rodgers return made them sick to their stomach.

"The game had some controversial plays," said Bob Barry, the voice of the Sooners since 1961. "There were two alleged clips around these parts on the Rodgers return."

Clips? This must be news to Nebraskans. Thirty years later and you're going to bring the clip theory into play? Still questioned in the southern plains is a block delivered downfield on OU running back and punter Joe Wylie and the touchdown springing block delivered by NU cornerback Joe Blahak.

"From my vantage point, I saw a clip or two," Oklahoma quarterback Jack Mildren said. "But as my father the philosopher always said, 'I didn't see a flag. Did you?'"

Not surprisingly, Kinney said the play was clean. Even Wylie admitted he was only "half-blocked" anyway. Wylie said his falling down on the play can be more attributed to a half-dive attempt to tackle the slippery Rodgers."

Boisie State could create a new award for " The best blue football field in CF"....I'll bet they would win every year and bring recognition to their CF tradition at the same time......same principal that is being used by this new "best returner" award IMHO.

Nebraskans long for national recognition. It all started back in the 1920's when they started scheduling football games with Eastern teams like Pittsburg and Nortre Dame to get publicity from the Eastern press. That longing continues to this day, and this new award is evidence of that. The award is a "national award". It will be covered by the national media, and it will annually recognize the exploits of JR and the 1971 team for as long as the award exists. Not saying it is good or bad....just saying it is what it is.

Funny stuff. Probably 2 holds or clips on EVERY return...lol.

As for naming of the trophy; they don't name awards after people that graduated last year. Jet is a heisman and two time all American and played on arguably the best team on CF history. Also, no team was as consistently good as NU though out the 70's, 80's and 90's. You might argue others are worthy of the trophy naming but Jet is more than worthy. And of course every players ego benefits from a trophy naming and every university does as well. This is not unique to NU or Jet. Every FBS university longs for football recognition and the fact that a small land grant in the middle of fly over country has garnered that is itself remarkable.

[mjw11]

I had a friend tell me what he thought a trophy of JR would look like but I wont repeat it here....funny though

[unmartin]

I believe the trophy has a ham sandwich, an 18 pack of AA's, three bottles of Riesling, 15 Kodak single shots, 3 bags of Chips, 10 scratch and win lotto's, a map of Northeast Nebraska, a map of Northwest Iowa, 30 ,000 rupies, a chicken soft taco, 4 beef borrito's and a 16 pack of Schlitz, under his arm


...I kid..I kid...this should be funny to everyone (inlcuding Johnny)

[Paramus]

Well, the Sporting News claimed JR to be the best CF kick returner of all time and a famous SI writer named Jenkins put JR on his all-time college football team as the return specialist. So, if an annual award for the best CF return specialist is to be named for the best return specialist in CF football history, then using JR's name is about as appropriate a choice as there is. He was special. I think this award is a very good idea, and something that is long over-do.

However, keep in mind the award was in fact JR's idea and putting his own name on the trophy is not exactly an act of humility.

Let's say that an independent consulting firm was hired to detemine whose name should go on the trophy.....a firm in NYC that had employees who knew nothing about college football. To determine the appropriate name to go on the trophy they could refer to the opinions of the Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, and other publications....and based on that, JR would be a top candidate. However, to be fair and unbiased, I think the firm would also refer to the All-Time NCAA statistics for that catagory to detemine an appropriate player. Here are the All-time NCAA stats for punt and kick returns........and, oh by the way.....Johnny Rogers is not listed.

Side note - Does anyone remember the December 2, 1972 USC vs Notre Dame game? ND was leading 24-0 at the half and USC ended up winning the game 56-24. Anthony Davis of USC scored 6 touchdowns in the 2nd half. it was the best one-game punt/kick return performance ever....his AVERAGE GAIN PER RETURN during that game was 72.7 yards. He returned 3 kicks for a total of 218 yards.

MOST PUNT RETURNS
Game
20—Milton Hill, Texas Tech vs. Centenary (LA), Nov. 11,
1939 (110 yards)
Season
57—Wes Welker, Texas Tech, 2002 (752 yards, 14 games)
Per-game record—5.5, Dick Adams, Miami (OH), 1970
(55 in 10)
Career
153—Vai Sikahema, BYU, 1980-81, 1984-85 (1,312 yards)

MOST YARDS ON PUNT RETURNS
Game
277—Antonio Perkins, Oklahoma vs. UCLA, Sept. 20, 2003
(7 returns)
Season
791—Lee Nalley, Vanderbilt, 1948 (43 returns)
Also holds per-game record with 79.1 (791 in 10)
Career
1,761—Wes Welker, Texas Tech, 2000-03 (152 returns)

HIGHEST AVERAGE GAIN PER RETURN
Game
(Min. 3-4 rets.) 59.7—Chip Hough, Air Force vs. SMU, Oct.
9, 1971 (3 for 179)
(Min. 5 rets.) 43.8—Golden Richards, BYU vs. North Texas,
Sept. 10, 1971 (5 for 219)
Season
(Min. 1.2 rets. per game) 28.5—Maurice Drew, UCLA, 2005
(15 for 427)

MOST KICKOFF RETURNS
Game
11—Trevor Cobb, Rice vs. Houston, Dec. 2, 1989 (166
yards)
Season
55—William White, Army, 2002 (1,239 yards, 11 games)
Career
134—David Gilreath, Wisconsin, 2007-10 (3,008 yards);
^Damaris Johnson, Tulsa, 2008-10 (3,417 yards)
^Active player.

MOST RETURNS PER GAME
Season
5.0—William White, Army, 2002 (55 in 11)
Career
3.06—Davion Mauldin, San Diego St., 2008-09 (55 in 18)
MOST YARDS ON KICKOFF RETURNS
Game
319—Leonard Johnson, Iowa St. vs. Oklahoma St., Nov. 1,
2008 (9 returns)
Season
1,444—Kerwynn Williams, Utah St., 2010 (53 returns, 12
games)
Career
3,417—^Damaris Johnson, Tulsa, 2008-10 (134 returns)
^Active player.

MOST YARDS RETURNED PER GAME
Season
120.3—Kerwynn Williams, Utah St., 2010 (1,444 in 12)
Career
78.2—Steve Odom, Utah, 1971-73 (2,582 in 33)

HIGHEST AVERAGE GAIN PER RETURN
Game
(Min. 3 rets.) 72.7—Anthony Davis, Southern California vs.
Notre Dame, Dec. 2, 1972 (3 for 218)
Season
(Min. 1.2 rets. per game) 40.1—Paul Allen, BYU, 1961 (12
for 481)
(Min. 1.5 rets. per game) 38.2—Forrest Hall, San Francisco,
1946 (15 for 573)
Career
(Min. 1.2 rets. per game) 36.2—Forrest Hall, San Francisco,
1946-47 (22 for 796)
(Min. 1.5 rets. per game) 31.0—Overton Curtis, Utah St.,
1957-58 (32 for 991

MOST TOUCHDOWNS SCORED
ON KICKOFF RETURNS
Game
2—Paul Copoulos, Marquette vs. Iowa Pre-Flight, Nov. 6,
1943 (85 & 82 yards); Ron Horwath, Detroit vs. Hillsdale,
Sept. 22, 1950 (96 & 96 yards); Ollie Matson, San
Francisco vs. Fordham, Oct. 20, 1951 (94 & 90 yards);
Anthony Davis, Southern California vs. Notre Dame,
Dec. 2, 1972 (97 & 96 yards); Raghib Ismail, Notre Dame
vs. Rice, Nov. 5, 1988 (87 & 83 yards); *Raghib Ismail,
Notre Dame vs. Michigan, Sept. 16, 1989 (88 & 92
yards); Stacey Corley, BYU vs. Air Force, Nov. 11, 1989
(99 & 85 yards); Leeland McElroy, Texas A&M vs. Rice,
Oct. 23, 1993 (93 & 88 yards); Tutu Atwell, Minnesota
vs. Iowa St., Sept. 13, 1997 (89 & 93 yards); Tony Lukins,
New Mexico St. vs. Tulsa, Oct. 6, 2001 (83 & 100 yards);
Justin Miller, Clemson vs. Florida St., Sept. 25, 2004 (97
& 86 yards); Brandon Breazell, UCLA vs. Northwestern,
Dec. 30, 2005 (42 & 45 yards, both onside kicks);
Brandon Banks, Kansas St. vs. Tennessee Tech, Sept. 26,
2009 (91 & 92 yards)
Season
5—Ashlan Davis, Tulsa, 2004
Career
7—C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 2006-09
*Ismail is the only player in history to score twice in two
games.

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH KICKOFF RETURN
FOR A TOUCHDOWN
4—Ashlan Davis, Tulsa, 2004 (100 yards vs. Boise St., Oct.
16; 94 yards vs. Nevada, Oct. 23; 83 yards vs. Rice, Oct.
30; 96 yards vs. SMU, Nov. 6)

SCORING A TOUCHDOWN ON TEAM’S
OPENING KICKOFF OF TWO SEASONS
Season
Barry Sanders, Oklahoma St., 1988 [100 yards vs. Miami
(OH), Sept. 10] & 1987 (100 yards vs. Tulsa, Sept. 5)

HIGHEST AVERAGE PER KICK RETURN
(Min. 1.2 Punt Returns and 1.2 Kickoff Returns
Per Game)
Season
27.2—Erroll Tucker, Utah, 1985 (40 for 1,087; 16 for 389 on
punt returns, 24 for 698 on kickoff returns)
Career
22.0—Erroll Tucker, Utah, 1984-85 (79 for 1,741; 38 for 650
on punt returns, 41 for 1,091 on kickoff returns)

AVERAGING 20 YARDS EACH ON PUNT
RETURNS AND KICKOFF RETURNS
(Min. 1.2 Returns Per Game Each)
Season
By 8 players. Most recent: Antonio Brown, Central Mich.,
2008 (20.5 on punt returns, 20 for 410; 20.8 on kickoff
returns, 38 for 791)

MOST TOUCHDOWNS SCORED
ON KICK RETURNS
(Must Have at Least One Punt Return and One
Kickoff Return)
Game
2—By nine players. Most recent: Brandon Tate, North
Carolina vs. Duke, Nov. 25, 2006. Other players: Derek
Abney, Kentucky vs. Florida, Sept. 28, 2002; Chad
Owens, Hawaii vs. BYU, Dec. 8, 2001; Kahlil Hill, Iowa
vs. Western Mich., Sept. 5, 1998; Joe Rowe, Virginia vs.
Central Mich., Sept. 7, 1996; Eric Blount, North Carolina
vs. William & Mary, Oct. 5, 1991; Dion Johnson, East
Carolina vs. Temple, Oct. 27, 1990; Charlie Justice,
North Carolina vs. Florida, Oct. 26, 1946; Ernie Steele,
Washington vs. Washington St., Nov. 30, 1940
Season
6—Derek Abney, Kentucky, 2002 (4 punts, 2 kickoffs);
Ashlan Davis, Tulsa, 2004 (5 kickoffs, 1 punt)
Career
8—Cliff Branch, Colorado, 1970-71 (6 punts, 2 kickoffs);
Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska, 1970-72 (7 punts, 1 kickoff);
Derek Abney, Kentucky, 2000-03 (6 punts, 2 kickoffs);
Chad Owens, Hawaii, 2001-04 (6 punts, 2 kickoffs); C.J.
Spiller, Clemson, 2006-09 (1 punt, 7 kickoffs); Phillip
Livas, Louisiana Tech, 2007-10 (4 punts, 4 kickoffs)

WINNING BOTH PUNT RETURN AND KICKOFF
RETURN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Season
Erroll Tucker, Utah, 1985
Career
Ira Matthews, Wisconsin, kickoff returns (1976) and punt
returns (1978); Erroll Tucker, Utah, 1985
All Runbacks
Total Kick Returns
(Combined Punt and Kickoff Returns)

MOST KICK RETURNS
Game
20—Milton Hill, Texas Tech vs. Centenary (LA), Nov. 11,
1939 (20 punts, 110 yards)
Season
78—Steve Suter, Maryland, 2002 (56 punts, 22 kickoffs,
1,317 yards)
Career
229—Brandon James, Florida, 2006-09 (117 punts, 112
kickoffs, 4,089 yards)
MOST YARDS ON KICK RETURNS
Game
342—Chad Owens, Hawaii vs. BYU, Dec. 8, 2001 (93 on
punt returns, 249 on kickoff returns)
Season
1,483—Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati, 2009 (202 on punt
returns, 1,281 on kickoff returns)
Per-game record—116.2, Dion Johnson, East Carolina,
1990 (1,046 yards, with 167 on punt returns and 879 on
kickoff returns in 9 games)
Career
4,089—Brandon James, Florida, 2006-09 (1,371 on punt
returns, 2,718 on kickoff returns)

GAINING 1,000 YARDS ON PUNT RETURNS
AND 1,000 YARDS ON KICKOFF RETURNS
Career
Troy Slade, Duke, 1973-75 (1,021 & 1,757); Devon Ford,
Appalachian St., 1973-76 (1,197 & 1,761); Anthony
Carter, Michigan, 1979-82 (1,095 & 1,504); Willie
Drewrey, West Virginia, 1981-84 (1,072 & 1,302); Tony
James, Mississippi St., 1989-92 (1,332 & 1,862); Thomas
Bailey, Auburn, 1991-94 (1,170 & 1,520); Tim Dwight,
Iowa, 1994-97 (1,051 & 1,133); Deltha O’Neal, California,
1996-99 (1,169 & 2,286); Nick Davis, Wisconsin, 1998-01
(1,001 & 1,697); Derek Abney, Kentucky, 2000-03 (1,042
& 2,315); Javier Arenas, Alabama, 2006-09 (1,752 &
2,166); Brandon James, Florida, 2006-09 (1,371 & 2,718);
Jeremy Kerley, TCU, 2007-10 (1,299 & 1,006)

[bilsker]

Color me shocked. Another attempt by Johnny Rodgers to remain relevant.

[Husker Poyer]

Please.....try not to let the truth upset you. It can be bad for your health. Keep in mind HP, personal attacks are not allowed on this board...so try to keep it clean. Shame on You!

The bottom line is this....if JR had not made that fantastic punt return in 1971, then the Nebraska fans who invented this new "returner" trophy would not have been motivated or inspired to create it. The trophy is a replica of the JR punt return and it honors what he did in 1971 as much as it honors what returners will do this year and for years to come. I would say the primary motivation behind this award was to do something to honor and give recognition to JR, the 1971 team, NU football, and the state of Nebraska in general. The secondary motivation is to honor the best returner in the CF each year. There is not doubt in my mind that the inventers of this award would not have established the award had it not been for the JR punt return and the opportunity this award gives to honor that achievement.

As far as Nebraskans longing to get national recognition and respect for their homeland.....here's some more evidence. Remember when ESPN did a 32-team tournament to determine the best CF team of all time? The winners of each game was determined by fan vote. Do you remember the result? the two teams who made the finals were 1971 Nebraska and 1995 Nebraska. Kirk Herbstreet was very upset about that. Here was an opportunity for Nebraskans to tell the nation that Nebraska and NU football are top notch, and they voted like crazy. That event made it obvious that national recognition of the homeland is important to Nebraskans.

Now, I am not saying there is anything wrong with that. It's just me makling an observation. I am a native Nebraskan and I am as big a promoter of all things Nebraska as there is here in New Jersey where I live. As a youngster in 1971 I remember watching that JR punt return live and in living black and white, and it was one of the most exiting things I ever experienced.

So as I think about it, almost all of these college football awards have a name associated with them....Remington Award, Heisman Trophy, Butkus award, and so forth. There is no doubt the JR punt return was one of the best ever, so it is appropriate to have his name tied to the trophy. I think the trophy is a good idea, it recognizes a special skill, and it is long overdue. However i also recognize that motive behind the creation of this award goes beyond recognizing this special skill....there was also a motivation by the creators to gain recognition for their homeland (which is also my homeland). Do you honestly disagree with that, Mr. HP?

Color me shocked. Another attempt by Johnny Rodgers to remain relevant.

**removal of inappropriate post**

[Husker Mort]

Color me shocked. Another attempt by Johnny Rodgers to remain relevant.

It's a tough return to the land of mortals.