SEC football Week 12 superlatives: Texas A&M’s ’12th man’ moment, Georgia’s record book
In 1983, in conjunction with Texas A&M’s storied “12th man” tradition, Aggies coach Jackie Sherrill held open tryouts to build out a kickoff team of all non-scholarship students with no experience required. Eventually, 17 players were selected, given jerseys with “12th man” on the sleeve and manned kickoffs at home games. The “12th man kickoff team” allowed fewer than 20 yards per kickoff return for five seasons.
An iconic moment we’ll remember for a long time and yet another chapter written in the history of the tradition of the 12th Man.Want to learn more and here from those kickoff team members?
Watch ESPN Films’ No Experience Required: pic.twitter.com/X08J4EFp3k
— Texas A&M Football November 20, 2023
Forty years later, on Saturday against Abilene Christian, Sherrill and members of his legendary kickoff teams were honored. And a tradition was revitalized for the first time since 2006. With 5:25 remaining in the game and Texas A&M leading 31-10, interim coach Elijah Robinson sent in the 2023 version of the 12th-man kickoff team — and what happened next was out of a movie script. The ACU return man was tackled by Will Smoot , who forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Alex Zettler . Then pandemonium ensued: a roaring ovation from the home crowd, a sideline that couldn’t contain its excitement and an all-walk-on celebration with a group photo in the end zone.
“On Senior Day, I was trying to figure out how we could get as many seniors out there as much as possible, especially the guys who come out here every day,” Robinson said. “They’re on scout team, they get no recognition, they don’t get to play. How could we get those guys an opportunity to go out on the field? They’ll never forget that.”
That same sentiment was shared by the players.
“We were already turnt for them before they even called them up,” wide receiver Ainias Smith said. “We were just hoping we were going to score enough points so they would be able to get their opportunity. Boys went out there and made plays. We were lit for sure.”
The Aggies season hasn’t gone according to plan, and major changes are looming, but that was a great moment to send off the Aggie seniors. In the locker room, that senior class presented the game ball to Robinson who led the team to a win as the interim coach.
Texas A&M’s moment kicks off this week’s SEC superlatives. The Week 12 slate set the stage for an interesting final weekend. Three teams: Florida , Ole Miss and South Carolina enter the weekend with a 5-6 record and will need wins over in-state rivals to clinch bowl eligibility. If all three win, it will send 12 SEC teams to a bowl game, the second-highest number in conference history (13, 2021).
The marquee matchups include the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn , Texas A&M at LSU and Georgia ’s one win away from breaking the SEC all-time win streak record (29) against Georgia Tech .
But first, the best and worst of Week 12:
Worst loss: Auburn
Auburn’s shocking 31-10 loss to New Mexico State jumps off the page in every category: A 21-point loss as a 20-plus point favorite was nearly doubled in total yardage and in time of possession. To add insult to injury, Auburn reportedly paid NMSU $1.85 million for the game — the third most expensive “buy game” in the SEC this year behind Georgia and UAB ($1.9 million) and Auburn and UMass ($1.95 million).
The loss puts a damper on a three-game winning streak and sours what felt like growing momentum. But the Tigers are still bowl eligible at 6-5, next up: hosting arguably the hottest team in the country right now in Alabama.
Most dominant individual performance: Nathaniel Watson , Mississippi State
Sixth-year senior Nathaniel Watson is a tackling machine — he finished second in the SEC last season (113) and is just one off the lead this season at 116, behind his teammate Jett Johnson . In a 41-20 against Southern Miss , Watson put forth one of the best tackling displays in recent memory: 21 tackles (a career-high) and the most by an SEC defender since 2017. Plus this big hit for the forced fumble, his 10th sack of the season.
The leader in sacks continues to add to his total! is now 1 of just 8 FBS players with 10+ sacks this season. #HailState | » pic.twitter.com/U2e7eKGyZz— Mississippi State Football November 18, 2023
Best tribute: KJ Jefferson , Arkansas
KJ Jefferson rewrote Arkansas history books once again on Saturday. An early first-quarter touchdown pass to Jaedon Wilson gave Jefferson his 65th career touchdown pass, an all-time record. He also holds Arkansas records for pass completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns, total plays, total yards and total touchdowns.
A record setting touchdown pic.twitter.com/cGrh4oGWSc— Arkansas Razorback Football November 19, 2023
Following the game, Jefferson dedicated the night to his grandmother who celebrated her birthday on Saturday. And the phone call with her afterward was a great moment.
Also of note: Following the win, Arkansas announced that coach Sam Pittman will return in 2024 .
KJ Jefferson was able to give his grandma a pretty cool birthday gift — more Razorback records pic.twitter.com/VoEvipJ7VO— Hogs Plus November 19, 2023
Best play (offense): Muhsin Muhammed III, Texas A&M
In a normal week, a one-handed catch or a hurdle would be worthy of best play — Aggies receiver Muhsin Muhammed III did both on this single play. It was a strong day for the junior who recorded four catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Best play (defense): Pitch Six, Mississippi State
Mississippi State, another school playing under an interim coach, got back into the win column and the defense utilized a group strategy to record a touchdown. Linebacker Jett Johnson intercepted a pass but was wrapped up quickly by an offensive player, Johnson turned and pitched the ball to Marcus Banks who took the ball the rest of the way for a touchdown. The Pitch Six.
Clutch play of the day: Harrison Mevis , Missouri
Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis, affectionately known as the Thicker Kicker, nailed a walk-off kick to give the Tigers a win for the second time this season. This time, a 30-yard attempt propelled Missouri over Florida for its ninth win of the season — its highest win total since 2014.
And the Thicker Kicker comes thru in the clutch again forHarrison Mevis hits a 30 yard FG with a under 10 seconds left to beat Fla
Dude hit a 61 harder at the buzzer earlier in year to beat KState. Onions!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/n6yBVJGsJW
— David Pollack November 19, 2023
Honorable mention: Spencer Rattler & Xavier Legette , South Carolina
The Gamecocks won their third game in a row with a 17-14 win versus Kentucky . The game-winning play arrived courtesy of Spencer Rattler and Xavier Legette who connected for the touchdown on a third-and-long with pressure in Rattler’s face.
Milestone of the Week: Georgia football
Georgia football reached a few milestones with its 38-10 win against Tennessee . The Bulldogs became the first team in the 8-game SEC schedule era to complete three consecutive undefeated seasons in conference play. Also, the win was Georgia’s 28th in a row overall, which ties with two different streaks from Alabama teams (1991-1993 and 1978-1980) for the longest in SEC history.
Honorable mention: Jayden Daniels , LSU
The LSU quarterback put on another stellar performance in a rout of Georgia State with eight touchdowns, which ties Joe Burrow for the most by an LSU quarterback in a game. Daniels finished with 413 passing yards and 96 rushing yards, making him the 11th player all time with 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in one season.
The two best players in all of college football pic.twitter.com/X0ccFWFkUp— LSU Football November 19, 2023
(Photo: John Rivera / )
