Hubbard Named National FCS Kickoff Return Performer of the Week
November 18, 2013 | Football
Hubbard (Tampa, Fla. / Robinson HS) recorded his second career kickoff return for a touchdown, darting 87 yards early in the third quarter to seize momentum back for Gardner-Webb.
After Charleston Southern returned an interception for a score to quiet the Spangler Stadium crowd and trim Gardner-Webb's lead to just two scores, 20-7, Hubbard stepped the forefront. The 5-foot-8, 175-pounder fielded a high kickoff at his own 13-yard line, darted to the right, made a couple of moves and outran the coverage team to pay dirt.
It was Gardner-Webb's first kickoff return for a score since November 19, 2011, when Hubbard returned a 78-yarder at VMI in the regular season finale. His effort against Charleston Southern was only the third kickoff return for a score for Gardner-Webb since 1996.
Hubbard ranks among the Big South's leaders so far in 2013 with 24.9 yards per return on kickoffs and was a preseason All-Big South selection at the position. He has returned 70 career kickoffs for a 22.6 yards per return average and ranks in the national top-20 among active career leaders in kickoff return touchdowns, returns per game and yards per game.
Gardner-Webb (6-5, 1-3 Big South) closes out the season on Saturday, November 23, at Presbyterian. The two old rivals will kickoff at 1:00 pm in Bailey Memorial Stadium. The game will air live on WGWG-FM (88.3 / wgwg.org) and the Big South Network.
