Spiller Named National Kickoff Returner of the Week

Oct. 5, 2009

Clemson, SC – Clemson senior C.J. Spiller has been named the National kickoff returner of the week by collegefootballperformance.com. Spiller returned a kickoff 92 yards for a score in the second half of Clemson’s 24-21 loss to Maryland last Saturday. It was quite a return considering a teammate stepped on his left shoe at the 30 yard line, forcing him to run the remaining 70 yards with just one shoe.

It is the second time Spiller has been honored by the website this year. He was the national punt returner of the week by collegefootballperformance.com for the Boston College game this year when he had a 77-yard return for a score.

Spiller now has two kickoff returns and a punt return for a score this year. He ranks first in the nation in punt returns with a 30.0 average and is fourth in the nation in kickoff returns with a 37.8 average. No Clemson football player has ranked in the top 10 in the nation in both categories in the same season previously.

Spiller tied the ACC record for career kick returns for a touchdown with his 92-yard kickoff return for a score at Maryland. He now has five kickoff returns for scores and one punt return for six total kick returns for touchdowns in his career. Steve Suter of Maryland, who was at the Clemson vs. Maryland game Saturday, had six punt returns for scores in his career with the Terps and Brandon Tate of North Carolina had three punt returns and three kickoff returns for touchdowns during his time with the Tar Heels.

Spiller’s five career touchdowns on kickoff returns lead the nation among active FBS players.