Jones Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week; Hogwired Players of the Week Selected

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Junior Felix Jones was recognized by the league as the Southeastern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday for his performance in Arkansas’ 46-26 win over Troy last weekend.

Jones racked up 287 all-purpose yards including 144 yards on three kickoff returns highlighted by a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Trojans. The return marked the third time in his Razorback career he has returned a kickoff for a score. Jones returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Mississippi State as a freshman in 2005 before duplicating the feat against Ole Miss as a sophomore in 2006. Jones is tied for the career lead in that category among active NCAA players and only Willie Gault (4) of Tennessee has more kickoff returns for touchdowns in his career in SEC history. He ranks second nationally in both kickoff returns and all-purpose yards after the opening weekend.

The Razorback tailback also recorded his eighth career 100-yard rushing game when he tallied 129 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. He averaged 10.8 yards per attempt and reeled off five runs of five yards or more including runs of 27, 40 and 44 yards. His 40-yard run came on the Hogs’ first offensive play of the game and his 44-yard effort went for a touchdown in the third quarter.

For his efforts, Jones also garnered a pair of Hogwired.com Player of the Week honors. The Tulsa, Okla., native was named offensive player of the week and co-special teams player of the week along with freshman kicker Alex Tejada. Senior linebacker Weston Dacus earned defensive player of the week honors from UA coaches.

Dacus tallied nine tackles, including six solo stops, in Arkansas’ season-opening win over Troy. He recorded the Razorbacks’ only sack of the night when he dropped Trojans’ quarterback Omar Haugabook for a six-yard loss in the first quarter. Dacus was part of a Razorback defense that allowed only 162 yards rushing with 74 of those coming on the Trojan’s final offensive drive against the Razorback reserves.

Tejada was a perfect four-of-four on field goal attempts in his first collegiate game. He nailed kicks from 23, 28, 30 and 35 yards while adding four extra points for a total of 16 points in his Razorback debut. Tejada became the first UA placekicker to convert four field goals since Chris Balseiro made four in the Hogs’ 2003 Independence Bowl win over Missouri. The Springdale, Ark., native was the only kicker in the nation to make four field goals in four attempts last weekend. He is tied for the nation’s statistical lead in field goals per game. Arkansas made only a total of six field goals in 2006.

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.