Who are some of the best return specialist in MSU football history?

[R2Dawg]

I throw out a few

Tony James was as good as they come.

Glen Young back on those early 80s teams and you always felt like he might break one.

Eric Moulds - He was a very under rated return guy only because he was such a great WR. Moulds reminded me of Young as he was always a threat to run one back and teams often kicked away from him.

Kevin Prentis - He could turn a game in a minute. That run against UT in SECCG had me thinking just for a minute that we were going to be SEC champs. JWS said, pound for pound he was the best football player on that team.

[Pancho]

Pig

[BuckyIsAB****]

Tulu Griffin

[R2Dawg]

Pig

Pig was a goodun.

What could have been on that great return at Bama in 99 where we got screwed on the call. Game changing call and play.

[CaptainObvious]

Derek Pegues! Derek Pegues!! DEREK PEGUES!!!! HE WILL TAKE TO THE DISTANCE!!!


Let?s go down to John Correro. John? JACK! It was like the Red Sea parting!

[Coach34]

Tony James was my guy. We sat together in a couple of classes and cut up. Great dude. He was the most consistent weapon we had under Rockey

Glen Young was outstanding. His KO return against LSU in 1980 was electric. He balled out that night

KP was also electric. The punt return in the 1998 SEC Championship Game had Tenn fans scared to f'ing death. Madkin just missed on about 4 passes that would have given us that game. What could have been.

For you youngsters out there:

1980 State still played most of their home games in Jackson because that stadium held about 50K before they closed in the end zone to get it over 60K while Scott Field only held about 32K and there was nowhere to stay or nothing to do in Sville then. Imagine finishing the season with 4 straight home games in Jackson- Auburn (won 24-21) Bama (won 6-3) LSU (won 55-31) and Mississippi (won 19-14) to finish the season 9-2. We also were in a fight to be in the Sugar Bowl that year down the stretch. What a great season. 1980, 1998, 1999, and 2014 are the greatest seasons in State history. I'm glad I got to see them

[bulldawg28]

Tony James.....but it would have been Nick Turner

[R2Dawg]

Tony James was my guy. We sat together in a couple of classes and cut up. Great dude. He was the most consistent weapon we had under Rockey

Glen Young was outstanding. His KO return against LSU in 1980 was electric. He balled out that night

KP was also electric. The punt return in the 1998 SEC Championship Game had Tenn fans scared to f'ing death. Madkin just missed on about 4 passes that would have given us that game. What could have been.

For you youngsters out there:

1980 State still played most of their home games in Jackson because that stadium held about 50K before they closed in the end zone to get it over 60K while Scott Field only held about 32K and there was nowhere to stay or nothing to do in Sville then. Imagine finishing the season with 4 straight home games in Jackson- Auburn (won 24-21) Bama (won 6-3) LSU (won 55-31) and Mississippi (won 19-14) to finish the season 9-2. We also were in a fight to be in the Sugar Bowl that year down the stretch. What a great season. 1980, 1998, 1999, and 2014 are the greatest seasons in State history. I'm glad I got to see them

Totally agree. We on the same page. 80,98,99,14 are the best 4 seasons, glad I was here to see too. I guess we should throw in 40/41 - our one NC.

[R2Dawg]

Derek Pegues! Derek Pegues!! DEREK PEGUES!!!! HE WILL TAKE TO THE DISTANCE!!!


Let?s go down to John Correro. John? JACK! It was like the Red Sea parting!

That was certainly maybe the biggest run back in MSU history. Crooms best moment too, well that and 07 Bama.

[Coach34]

That was certainly maybe the biggest run back in MSU history. Crooms best moment too, well that and 07 Bama.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKNxdmBTOpo

I disagree. Was 24-24 at half and Glen Young did this. We won 55-31

[parabrave]

Kevin Prentiss!!!

[DownwardDawg]

Kevin Prentiss!!!!!

Lightning has struck!!!

[grinnindawg]

Thanks! That is a fun watch.
Usually when you watch games from that era few of the players look like they would contribute today. Not so for that team.
Our defense that year was ridiculous. Cooks to me is still our best ever. Several others would play on SEC teams today.
On offense I'd forgotten how big McDole was and that we used him in the backfield. Dude could fly too.

[parabrave]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKNxdmBTOpo

I disagree. Was 24-24 at half and Glen Young did this. We won 55-31

And the best uniform to boot/

[Coach34]

Thanks! That is a fun watch.
Usually when you watch games from that era few of the players look like they would contribute today. Not so for that team.
Our defense that year was ridiculous. Cooks to me is still our best ever. Several others would play on SEC teams today.
On offense I'd forgotten how big McDole was and that we used him in the backfield. Dude could fly too.

It's a good watch because so many of this generation focus on stats and such. They need to look at the game then and see the guys that played. Understand the rules. Back then it was a 30 second clock and you could milk the clock easier. Cut blocks. DB's could mug you in pass coverage. Totally different game in the 80's

[parabrave]

It's a good watch because so many of this generation focus on stats and such. They need to look at the game then and see the guys that played. Understand the rules. Back then it was a 30 second clock and you could milk the clock easier. Cut blocks. DB's could mug you in pass coverage. Totally different game in the 80's

And except for a below the waist clip there was hardly any flags on Kickoffs.

[Homedawg]

Glen young. Tony James Kevin prentiss. Top 3 no doubt. Pick your order of those three

[parabrave]

Well we are leaving out the guy who actually made a living returning KOs for real money. Don Smith.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKNxdmBTOpo

I disagree. Was 24-24 at half and Glen Young did this. We won 55-31

I couldn’t stop watching. All of our offensive linemen wore neck rolls, but none wore knee braces. Offensive linemen in 4-point stances. Bond has to flip up the center’s towel every time. Three backs in the backfield. The game has changed so much.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Tulu Griffin

If he played in an era that every kicker wasn’t kicking it out the back of the end zone he’d clearly be #1.

[Homedawg]

Well we are leaving out the guy who actually made a living returning KOs for real money. Don Smith.

Considering he didn't return kicks here, he doesn't count. But he was a great qb w not much talent around him

[99jc]

Derek Abney......Oh don't punt it to Abney!

[basedog]

Considering he didn't return kicks here, he doesn't count. But he was a great qb w not much talent around him

He would be great in today's offense. May be the best athlete to ever play QB at Msu. No doubt he had not much help, IF he wouldn't have had injured his shoulder against Bama in Jackson his junior year, we beat them that day. He was unstoppable till his injury occurred that day.

[Dolphus Raymond]

Glen Young.

[Commercecomet24]

Glen Young, Tony James, Eric Moulds, Kevin Prentiss, Tulu.

[BrunswickDawg]

A forgotten guy who would have probably should be on this list is Leon Berry. If he hadn't quit to focus on track I think he would be thought of more.
He is still #4 in the SEC in career kick return average, and tied with Prentiss for most MSU KR TD's at 2.

[FISHDAWG]

A forgotten guy who would have probably should be on this list is Leon Berry. If he hadn't quit to focus on track I think he would be thought of more.
He is still #4 in the SEC in career kick return average, and tied with Prentiss for most MSU KR TD's at 2.

if this is the same guy from Griffin, Georgia .... I thought an injury sidelined him for his last season or two - he was a good one

[R2Dawg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKNxdmBTOpo

I disagree. Was 24-24 at half and Glen Young did this. We won 55-31

Not sure what you disagree with. Glen Young was great. I remember watching that live, he was electric.

I just said Pegues because it won the Egg Bowl in last minute of game. The Young return was special but it was early in 3rd quarter, game wasn't over yet.

[R2Dawg]

A forgotten guy who would have probably should be on this list is Leon Berry. If he hadn't quit to focus on track I think he would be thought of more.
He is still #4 in the SEC in career kick return average, and tied with Prentiss for most MSU KR TD's at 2.

Agree, he is probably under rated.

[R2Dawg]

That McDole kid was pretty good too at whatever he did.

[Saltydog]

I throw out a few

Tony James was as good as they come.

Glen Young back on those early 80s teams and you always felt like he might break one.

Eric Moulds - He was a very under rated return guy only because he was such a great WR. Moulds reminded me of Young as he was always a threat to run one back and teams often kicked away from him.

Kevin Prentis - He could turn a game in a minute. That run against UT in SECCG had me thinking just for a minute that we were going to be SEC champs. JWS said, pound for pound he was the best football player on that team.

Good list but Glen Young is the single BEST return specialists in school history. I would rate Tony James second.

[BrunswickDawg]

if this is the same guy from Griffin, Georgia .... I thought an injury sidelined him for his last season or two - he was a good one

Yep that's the guy.

[Saltydog]

Go watch footage of what he did to UT in '85. We beat them in Knoxville. We then proceeded to lose our last 5 games and finish 5-6.

[Fred Garvin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKNxdmBTOpo

I disagree. Was 24-24 at half and Glen Young did this. We won 55-31

Every time Glen Young was back to receive, there was a chance he would break it for 6.

[msudawg1200]

Glen Young, Danny Knight, Tony James, Kevin Prentiss, Jameon Lewis

[msudawg1200]

Go watch footage of what he did to UT in '85. We beat them in Knoxville. We then proceeded to lose our last 5 games and finish 5-6.

You're thinking of 86. We didn't play Tennessee in '85. We did beat them up there on TBS in 86. We were 6-1, ranked as high as #13, and then lost to Auburn, Bama, LSU, and Ole Miss to finish 6-5 and miss a bowl. In 85 we were 5-2, and lost our last four to the same teams as 86 to finish 5-6 and 0-6 in the SEC.

[Coach34]

Not sure what you disagree with. Glen Young was great. I remember watching that live, he was electric.

Pegues return was big in an Egg Bowl with 2 loser teams playing out the final game of the season.

Young's return put us back up in a game in which we were still chasing a Sugar Bowl- as they even mention in the telecast. Not to mention our beating LSU kept them out of a bowl game that season as they finished 7-4

[R2Dawg]

Pegues return was big in an Egg Bowl with 2 loser teams playing out the final game of the season.

Young's return put us back up in a game in which we were still chasing a Sugar Bowl- as they even mention in the telecast. Not to mention our beating LSU kept them out of a bowl game that season as they finished 7-4

Yeah I get it and know the season and the surrounding narratives. That was in my era too. My only issue is we were going to beat LSU that day regardless. It did showcase how good Young was but the Peagues run won the egg bowl in dramatic fashion. Peagues couldn't hold a candle to Young on returns though.

[parabrave]

Yeah I get it and know the season and the surrounding narratives. That was in my era too. My only issue is we were going to beat LSU that day regardless. It did showcase how good Young was but the Peagues run won the egg bowl in dramatic fashion. Peagues couldn't hold a candle to Young on returns though.

Always wondered what DP would've done at QB?

[lastmajordog]

JO Doss "The Hoss" and Glenn Young......just can't get much better.....

[Dawgfan77]

A forgotten guy who would have probably should be on this list is Leon Berry. If he hadn't quit to focus on track I think he would be thought of more.
He is still #4 in the SEC in career kick return average, and tied with Prentiss for most MSU KR TD's at 2.
Leon didn't quit to focus on track. O'Neal Wilder quit to focus on track

[Dawgfan77]

Pegues return was big in an Egg Bowl with 2 loser teams playing out the final game of the season.

Young's return put us back up in a game in which we were still chasing a Sugar Bowl- as they even mention in the telecast. Not to mention our beating LSU kept them out of a bowl game that season as they finished 7-4

We had beaten Bama in 07 and had 6 wins wrapped up. Winning the egg gave us 7 wins in 07 and resulted in O getting fired

[BrunswickDawg]

Leon didn't quit to focus on track. O'Neal Wilder quit to focus on track

Ah - yeah you are right. Berry was still a good one though.

[redstickdawg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKNxdmBTOpo

I disagree. Was 24-24 at half and Glen Young did this. We won 55-31

Thanks for posting the old ESPN stuff, I was at the game and my memory was altered from Jack and coke.

[Coach34]

Yeah I get it and know the season and the surrounding narratives. That was in my era too. My only issue is we were going to beat LSU that day regardless. It did showcase how good Young was but the Peagues run won the egg bowl in dramatic fashion. Peagues couldn't hold a candle to Young on returns though.

I was at the game. I’m not sure we beat LSU without the KO return. It was an even game and LSU had almost 300 offensive yards at half. That KO return stole the MO and then we got the fumble on the ensuing KO to blow the game open. Without the return? That 24-24 game turns into a scrum

[Dolphus Raymond]

Glen Young. If you saw him play, you would agree I think. So damn quick.

[Offshore Dawg]

I am more concerned with who can do the job now.

[Lord McBuckethead]

If he played in an era that every kicker wasn?t kicking it out the back of the end zone he?d clearly be #1.

Every single time he catches the ball, the kid does something. Like the bowl game a couple of years ago. He had like 180 return yards that could have been more if people wouldn't get flagged.

[tcdog70]

Marcus Rhoden

[R2Dawg]

I was at the game. I?m not sure we beat LSU without the KO return. It was an even game and LSU had almost 300 offensive yards at half. That KO return stole the MO and then we got the fumble on the ensuing KO to blow the game open. Without the return? That 24-24 game turns into a scrum

Yeah maybe but point is there was still a half of football to play. One play doesn't dictate the rest of the half. I know the emotion of some games feels that way and I know there is feelings of momentum and game pressure. Everyone has seen games where it was a tale of two halves. You just can't judge a whole game on one half.

Young was one of my favorites, that we agree and that return was a great return. He was a pro.

Also being at the game doesn't make your opinion better than mine. I watched every minute and I saw some replays that you didn't so I actually saw more of the game that you did.