Felix Jones Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas tailback and kick returner Felix Jones has been named Southeastern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week it was announced by the league office on Monday.

Jones tied a school record when he raced 100 yards for a touchdown on the opening kickoff in the Hogs’ 38-3 win over the Ole Miss Rebels. It was the second 100-yard return for Jones in his Razorback career and the eighth 100-yard kickoff return in school history. Jones also returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown last season against Mississippi State.

The Tulsa, Okla., product became only the second Razorback to return a pair of kickoffs 100 yards joining Boyd Cypert, who returned two in 1911. Jones also is only the second player in SEC history (John Avery – Ole Miss) to accomplish that feat. The return was the 36th 100-yard kickoff return in SEC history and the first kickoff returned for a touchdown against Ole Miss since 1988.

“It was great to see Felix and our kickoff team break one for a touchdown,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “We have been one block away on several kicks this season, but we finally hit it for a score. It takes 11 players doing their job to get a big return. Our guys cleared the way and Felix made a great run.”

The record return helped Arkansas move from 61st to ninth nationally in kickoff returns with an average of 26.5 yards per attempt. Jones entered the game with a season-long kickoff return of 23 yards.

Jones earned a total of 153 all-purpose yards in the victory including 51 yards on nine carries and two yards on one reception against the Rebels.

Jones became the sixth Razorback to earn recognition from the SEC this season. Quarterback Mitch Mustain earned freshman of the week honors against Vanderbilt while senior Randy Kelly was named defensive player of the week for his efforts against Alabama. Sophomore offensive tackle Jonathan Luigs and junior defensive end Jamaal Anderson won offensive and defensive lineman of the week, respectively, following Arkansas’ upset of No. 2 Auburn. Senior defensive tackle Keith Jackson captured defensive lineman of the week honors in the wake of Arkansas’ win over Southeast Missouri State.