Giles Jackson discusses huge kick return TD: 'I've been due for one'
Giles Jackson started Michigan’s afternoon with a huge play on the opening kickoff.
Jackson received the opening kickoff against Maryland and had a chance to display his speed. The freshman took off, making one cut and hitting the sideline at full speed. He sped past Maryland’s coverage unit and took the kick the distance for 97 yards and a touchdown.
It was a great start and set the tone for Michigan’s rout. In the end, the Wolverines rolled to a 38-7 win over the Terrapins.
After the game, Jackson was asked about the return opportunity. He broke down the return and highlighted how a block by Devin Gil opened up the space for him:
“I was outside at first and I saw Devin Gil, he made that huge block,” said Jackson. “I saw him hit the dude, so I cut back inside and I just tried to outrun them to the end zone.”
He went on to say that the team practiced the return set up well and he knew he was due for a big play coming into the game:
“The way we practiced it, it just looked like it had to work,” Jackson explained. “It was working all week in practice…I knew I’ve been due for one in a long time, and I just knew if I had that kick return I had to to take.”
Angelique Chengelis with the Detroit News shared the video of Jackson’s comments:
Giles Jackson pic.twitter.com/4mL6r2XirV
— angelique (@chengelis) November 2, 2019
Jackson added one catch for four yards and had two kickoff returns for a total of 121 yards in the win over Maryland.