Will Gator Bowl return highlights resurface for Missouri, Virginia?

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The run game has occupied much of the attention entering the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

But is another highlight return on the way for Missouri or Virginia?

In the last three years, the annual bowl game at Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium has turned into a showcase for long-distance touchdown returns. Really, really long distance.

Is there a chance for a player like Virginia’s Cam Ross (a 100-yard kick return against Coastal Carolina) or Missouri’s Kevin Coleman Jr. (a 67-yard punt return against Arkansas) to break a long one on the First Coast, or even former Sandalwood High School defensive back Antonio Clary? Going by the recent track record, fans should be prepared for anything in the return game once they toss the coin in Jacksonville.

2022: South Carolina’s O’Donnell Fortune goes the distance

South Carolina’s O’Donnell Fortune made Gator Bowl history in the fourth quarter, taking a Tyler Buchner pass back 100 yards for the longest pick-six in game history. The Gamecocks also had a DQ Smith interception return earlier in the game, but it wasn’t enough in a 45-38 Fighting Irish win.

2023: Barion Brown’s big play

Yep, another 100-yard kickoff return. This time, Barion Brown of Kentucky took the second-half kick back all the way, snatching a 21-10 lead over Clemson. Once again, the team with the return didn’t end up on top: Clemson scored 28 fourth-quarter points and edged the Wildcats 38-35.

2024: Sahmir Hagans goes 99 for Duke

This time, Sahmir Hagans found the end zone on a 99-yard return for Duke in the fourth quarter, but the game was long decided in a 52-20 Ole Miss romp. That night also included an Ole Miss touchdown return, an interception taken 50 yards to the end zone by Isaiah Hamilton.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Gator Bowl records kickoff, interception return touchdowns

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