{"id":456749,"date":"2026-09-08T01:38:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T01:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/456749\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T01:38:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T01:38:17","slug":"jaylon-hawkins-100-yard-kickoff-return-td-for-sdsu-was-one-for-the-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/456749\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaylon Hawkins’ 100-yard kickoff return TD for SDSU was one for the books"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two thoughts in particular crossed Jaylon Hawkins\u2019 mind before his 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown Saturday night against Portland State: \u201cDon\u2019t trip\u201d and \u201cGo score.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hawkins avoided the first challenge, which enabled him to accomplish the second objective.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe return before that I could have broken it,\u201d Hawkins said, \u201cbut I tripped up at the last little second. In my mind, it was definitely pick my feet up, don\u2019t trip up. \u2026 It was my first time taking a kick back all the way, so it was very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

The third-quarter TD was the ninth 100-yard kickoff return in SDSU history. Jordan Byrd had been the last to do it, in 2021 against Utah. Rashaad Penny four 100-yard returns among his NCAA-record-tying seven kickoff return TDs from 2015-17.<\/p>\n

Hawkins, a redshirt freshman from Argyle, Texas, is expected to be named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Vikings.<\/p>\n

Jaylon Hawkins House Call \u270c\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa: @usasports<\/a> #AztecFAST<\/a> \ud83c\udf62 x #BeTheA1pha<\/a> \ud83d\udc3a x #TheClimb<\/a> \ud83d\udcc8 pic.twitter.com\/D2Jmh3ouCT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) September 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

On the play, Hawkins field the ball about three yards deep in the end zone, got a couple blocks as he brought the ball out, broke a tackle at the 20-yard line, then pointed himself toward the right sideline.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was set up to go to the right, but when the time comes, you have to make a play to be a football player,\u201d Hawkins said.<\/p>\n

He avoided an ankle tackle at the SDSU 48-yard line, made a cutback at midfield, avoided another ankle tackle at the Portland State 37, then made it untouched the rest of the way with six teammates running interference.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore the play in the huddle, talking to my kick return team, asking them to block, they said they were going to block for me,\u201d Hawkins said. \u201cWe practiced it all week. I\u2019ve got trust in them. They\u2019ve got trust in me. \u2026 We just went out there and executed.\u201d<\/p>\n

SDSU\u2019s 100-yard kickoff returns<\/p>\n

Jaylon Hawkins became the ninth player in program history with a 100-yard kickoff return (college rules limit the kick to100 yards even when received in the end zone) when he accomplished the feat in the third quarter of Saturday\u2019s win over Portland State. The list:<\/p>\n

100 \u2014 Jaylon Hawkins vs. Portland State, Sept. 5, 2026 (W, 53-20)<\/p>\n

100 \u2014 Jordan Byrd vs. Utah, Sept. 18, 2021 (W, 33-31 (OT))<\/p>\n

100 \u2014 Rashaad Penny vs. Nevada*, Nov. 18, 2017 (W, 42-23)<\/p>\n

100 \u2014 Rashaad Penny vs. California, Sept. 10, 2016 (W, 45-40)<\/p>\n

100 \u2014 Rashaad Penny vs. Cincinnati (HB), Dec. 24, 2015 (W, 42-7)<\/p>\n

100 \u2014 Rashaad Penny at Penn State, Sept. 26, 2015 (L, 21-37)<\/p>\n

100 \u2014 Colin Lockett at (19) Boise State*, Nov. 3, 2012 (W, 21-19)<\/p>\n

100 \u2014 Charlie Crews vs. UTEP*, Nov. 17, 1979 (W, 42-20)<\/p>\n

100 \u2014 Mel Jacobs vs. North Texas, Sept. 20, 1975 (W, 31-10)<\/p>\n

* \u2013 Indicates conference game.<\/p>\n

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