Ace Sanders, Special Teams

[ccg-atlcock]

Long time lurker, first time poster and felt the need to make this post.

ESPN has stats back to 2004 and this is the first time from 2004-2012 that we were in the top 10, let alone the top 50, for punt returns.

Crazy props to Ace and the special teams.

[cack]

I believe I heard that Ace is in the top 3-5 in punt return average. I'm not sure if that's true, but he HAS to be in consideration for best punt returner in the nation (although I don't think it's broken down to just punts)

[Carolina4Life]

He could play NFL punt return.

[scfanohio]

Originally Posted by ccg-atlcock

Long time lurker, first time poster and felt the need to make this post.

ESPN has stats back to 2004 and this is the first time from 2004-2012 that we were in the top 10, let alone the top 50, for punt returns.

Crazy props to Ace and the special teams.

Great first post!

[STEPHONGILMOREFAN!]

Pretty explosive

[sc455]

joe robinson is king.

[Spurz]

Yeah, I have to say I never thought I'd see the day when we actually had a threat at KR/PR. Ace has given me some of my favorite Gamecock highlights ever with his returns this year.

[JohnnyR2211]

That return against Missouri is the best that I've ever seen that didn't score. I mean that step back move was just ridiculous. I hope he can break a few more while he's here

[Sax1031]

wow that is amazing considering the recent state our specials teams had been in.

[Acockolypse Now]

He changes the way other teams kick to us, that's for sure.

[uscsandstorm85]

He sparks the offense and special teams, DJ sparks the Defense. I think that has been the difference this year. They came up with those types of plays when they were needed the most

[Dizzy01]

Originally Posted by Acockolypse Now

He changes the way other teams kick to us, that's for sure.

Yeah after his first return Saturday night they really started kicking away from him. I can't remember the last time we had a guy that teams were worried about pinning to the sidelines or just kicking out of bounds to keep him from making the catch.

[ConwayGamecock]

Originally Posted by cack

I believe I heard that Ace is in the top 3-5 in punt return average. I'm not sure if that's true, but he HAS to be in consideration for best punt returner in the nation (although I don't think it's broken down to just punts)

Actually it is:

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2012/Intern...0000911PD.HTML

Rank Player Pos Cl Gm Puntret Yds TDs AvgRet Gm Natl Rank
1 Ace Sanders, USC WR JR 12 25 363 1 14.52 2.08 5
2 Marcus Murphy, Missouri RB SO 12 27 374 3 13.85 2.25 9
3 Dustin Harris, Texas A&M DB SR 12 33 434 1 13.15 2.75 11
4 Jonathan Krause, Vanderbilt WR JR 12 25 281 2 11.24 2.08 24
5 Christion Jones, Alabama WR SO 12 19 204 0 10.74 1.58 27
6 Devrin Young, Tennessee RB SO 10 16 155 0 9.69 1.60 31
7 Odell Beckham, Jr., LSU WR SO 12 31 300 2 9.68 2.58 32
8 Quan Bray, Auburn WR SO 11 16 136 0 8.50 1.45 40
9 Demarco Robinson, Kentucky WR SO 12 18 117 0 6.50 1.50 52
10 Nate Holmes, Arkansas RB FR 9 11 70 0 6.36 1.22 53
11 Korvic Neat, Ole Miss WR JR 9 13 60 0 4.62 1.44 63

Ace leads the conference in punt return average, and is 5th in the nation...

[scgamecocks1984]

Originally Posted by uscsandstorm85

He sparks the offense and special teams, DJ sparks the Defense. I think that has been the difference this year. They came up with those types of plays when they were needed the most

I completely agree that DJ sparks the defense, On offense though the spark was Marcus Lattimore and once he was hurt he was still the spark b/c the whole team wanted to win out if for no other reason but for Marcus. With Marcus declaring for the draft, we have to find a new spark on offense.Ace is a Junior, quite possibly it will be him.But I'm not so sure that it wont be Mike Davis or Bruce Ellington next year. On defense, we have to find a new spark too, as DJ is a senior. That shouldnt be a problem with all the defensive leaders we have. I would think that it would either be Victor Hampton next year or Jadaveon.

[dffoxfanatic71]

Originally Posted by scgamecocks1984

I completely agree that DJ sparks the defense, On offense though the spark was Marcus Lattimore and once he was hurt he was still the spark b/c the whole team wanted to win out if for no other reason but for Marcus. With Marcus declaring for the draft, we have to find a new spark on offense.Ace is a Junior, quite possibly it will be him.But I'm not so sure that it wont be Mike Davis or Bruce Ellington next year. On defense, we have to find a new spark too, as DJ is a senior. That shouldnt be a problem with all the defensive leaders we have. I would think that it would either be Victor Hampton next year or Jadaveon.

marcus has not declared for the draft. there is another thread for this but
regardless of what i think he should do, he did say that he would be back as a gamecock and put tremendous stock in what he says. hes not that kind of guy to say one thing and do another.

[COCKYWOOD]

Either way it's great to get all this practice time for a bowl.

[roosterdave]

Originally Posted by Dizzy01

Yeah after his first return Saturday night they really started kicking away from him. I can't remember the last time we had a guy that teams were worried about pinning to the sidelines or just kicking out of bounds to keep him from making the catch.

He affects the game in a way we've never really seen before. This is what good teams are made of.

[cocksman08]

ok so will ace be back next year? im confused because i could have sworn that he was a senior since he played in 2009 as a freshman. someone help me out

[Go Cocks 29]

I guess we all noticed that clemson did their best not to let him return. they punted out of bounds all night it seemed.

[Garnet Gamecock]

Ace has the most amazing ability to stop on a dime and then pound the accelerator. He also can run laterally (making a 90-degree slide) like a Pac Man. A guy that can do those two things is pretty special. There are a LOT of NFL return guys that can't do either of those.

If we continue to improve our downfield blocking, Ace may take it to the house multiple times next year... He's THAT good.

We just need to make sure opposing teams don't have a guy right in his face when he catches it.

On another note -- Ace will become the ultimate tightrope walker next year, catching multiple balls on the sideline and streaking down the field, just barely staying in bounds.