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Javon Tracy Returns Two Punts for TDs, Sets Minnesota Punt-Return Record

Coach P.J. Fleck called the performance the payoff for offseason special-teams work and suggested Tracy could become a regular scoring weapon.

Overview

  • Tracy returned two punts for touchdowns, covering 87 and 69 yards, and finished with 167 punt-return yards on four returns to set a Minnesota single-game record.
  • The Big Ten named Tracy its Special Teams Player of the Week following the performance in Minnesota's 59-7 season-opening win over Eastern Illinois.
  • Tracy had no prior college punt-return attempts before the game and became the first Golden Gopher ever to score two punt-return touchdowns in a single game.
  • Head coach P.J. Fleck credited offseason work on return fundamentals and decision-making for the result and said the staff expects Tracy to be an ongoing scoring threat.
  • Tracy also caught five passes for 98 yards in the game, the feat ended a long drought of Gopher punt-return TDs since 2018, and it put him in rare company as only the fourth player in Big Ten history to return two punts for scores in one game.