Ad Disclosure
It was a high-scoring season in the SEC, a conference long respected for outstanding defense. But defense did its part as well in adding to those numbers, and so did special teams.
Here are some happy returns from a great year in the books:
Alabama senior DB Cyrus Jones: Jones returned four punts for touchdowns during the 2015 season. That led the nation, as did his total punt returns (42) and punt return yards (530).
Jones returned two punts for touchdowns in the Tide’s 56-6 victory over Charleston on Nov. 21. Jones completed a 28-point first-quarter explosion with a 43-yard punt return for a touchdown. His electrifying 72-yard punt return for a second score late in the second quarter increased Alabama’s lead to 42-0.
In Alabama’s 38-0 victory over Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal game, Jones effectively put the game out of reach with his shifty 57-yard punt return to paydirt late in the third quarter. It boosted the Tide’s lead to 24-0 and helped Alabama advance to the championship game and another national title.
Jones’ initial punt return for a touchdown didn’t occur until the 10th game of the season, at Mississippi State. But he made up for lost time. Less than two minutes into the game, Jones returned a Bulldogs punt 69 yards to put the Tide on the scoreboard. Alabama went on to a 31-6 victory.
Tennessee DB/KR Evan Berry: Berry was equally adept at kickoff returns. The Vols sophomore DB returned three kickoffs for touchdowns to lead the SEC and finish second in the nation in that department. Berry led the SEC in kick return yards (804) and topped the nation with a return average of 38.3 yards per kickoff.
Berry burst onto the scene in the third game of the 2015 season when he went 88 yards with a Western Carolina kickoff in the closing seconds of the third quarter to increase Tennessee’s lead to 41-3. The Vols went on for an easy 55-10 triumph.
Just two games later, he struck again. Berry got the Tennessee vs. Arkansas game off to a rousing start, returning the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. And though the Vols jumped out to a 14-0 lead, it was Arkansas that eventually won the SEC shootout, 24-20.
It was Berry’s 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown midway through the third quarter that allowed the Vols some breathing room in its 52-21 victory over Kentucky. The win propelled Tennessee to a six-game win streak to close the 2015 season.
Interception returns for touchdowns: Returns for scores played a big role in Alabama’s championship season. Minkah Fitzpatrick returned two for touchdowns that proved to be the key difference in Alabama’s 41-23 victory over Texas A&M. Fitzpatrick opened and closed the scoring in the game with interception returns for scores covering 33 and 55 yards.
They were the only two interceptions Fitzpatrick made during the 2015 season and he made them count. He also tied his teammate – junior DB Eddie Jackson – and two others for the SEC lead in that category. Ole Miss senior DB Trae Elston and Florida sophomore DB Jalen Tabor also returned two interceptions for touchdowns in what was an extremely entertaining 2015 season in all three phases of the game.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
