South Bound & Down
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SEC Football: Game Balls, Top Performers for Week Three

By Justin Melton

Sep 17, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) drops back to pass the ball against the New Mexico State Aggies in the first quarter at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) drops back to pass the ball against the New Mexico State Aggies in the first quarter at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks students during the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. South Carolina wins 20-15 over ECU. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks students during the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. South Carolina wins 20-15 over ECU. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams: Elliot Fry, K, South Carolina

Fry did what he always does, he made his kicks. Fry made both of his field goal attempts and both of his extra point attempts. That is a total of eight points. South Carolina won the game 20-15. With a less reliable kicker, South Carolina loses this game.

Elliot Fry is an extremely solid college kicker. Over the course of his career the senior has converted 75 percent of his field goals and 99 percent of his extra points. I’m not sure if those numbers will be good enough to make it in the NFL, but Fry will certainly get the opportunity to try out. Regardless, he has been extremely  beneficial to the South Carolina team.

Honorable Mentions:

Josh Growden, P, LSU

Growden was the man for LSU in this game. It was an ugly one. Field position was important. Growden did his part to make sure that Mississippi State didn’t have it. He punted the ball five times, averaging 49.2 yards. Two of his punts were longer than 60 yards, including a career-best 65 yarder.

Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Growden is only a redshirt-freshman, but it’s clear he has an NFL leg. If he can keep punting like this he may even get drafted in the late rounds of the NFL draft some day. The only question at this point is can he be consistent. If so, he will be making big money in a couple of years.

Eddie Jackson, S/PR, Alabama

Eddie Jackson had never returned a punt in his four years at Alabama until this Saturday. His first attempt turned out to be a memorable one. Jackson wove through the Ole Miss punt team for an 85 yard touchdown to cut the Rebel lead to 24-17 at the half.

Every Alabama fan who has watched Jackson play knows that he has the “it factor” when it comes to returns. He has displayed it before on interception returns. Nick Saban may not want to risk injury to Jackson by having him as the primary punt returner. However, when the team needs a spark, Saban knows who to turn to.

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