Luigs Kelly and Skinner Honored with Hogwired.com Player of the Week Honors
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sophomore Jonathan Luigs and seniors Randy Kelly and Jacob Skinner earned recognition on Monday as the Hogwired.com Players of the Week after their performances in the Razorbacks’ 24-23 double-overtime win over Alabama last weekend.
Luigs became the first lineman to win offensive honors this season. Kelly was honored for his defensive efforts while Skinner racked up his third special teams’ award of the season.
Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said Luigs “played his best game as a Razorback.” He played all 57 offensive snaps at center and earned a grade of 94 percent including a perfect 100 percent on pass plays. He tallied two knockdown blocks and helped clear the way for 172 yards rushing including 112 yards by Darren McFadden.
Kelly earned both SEC Defensive Player of the Week and Hogwired.com Defensive Player of the Week honors for his outstanding effort against Alabama. The Palmetto, Fla., native racked up a career-high 16 tackles, including 10 solo stops, in the win. He earned 1.5 tackles for loss (-8), a half-sack (-5), a quarterback hurry and a pass break up. He provided the biggest defensive play of the game when he scooped up an Alabama fumble and ran 39 yards for a touchdown to give Arkansas the lead in the third quarter. It was the second time in as many seasons that Kelly has returned a turnover for a touchdown. He returned an interception for a touchdown last season in a road victory at Ole Miss.
Skinner was tabbed for his special teams’ play in the Razorbacks’ home conference win. He punted four times for 161 yards and a 40.2 yard average against Alabama. His first two punts of the game landed at the seven and one-yard lines, respectively. He now has landed seven punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line this season. He recorded a long punt of 44 yards against the Crimson Tide.
Following each game this season, Hogwired.com will recognize an offensive, defensive and special teams player of the week. Recipients are chosen by the UA football coaching staff.
