Colorado State University Athletics
This Week in CSU Football History -- Glen Davis' punt return record lasted 90 years
10/17/2018 10:52:00 AM | Football
Davis' 90-yard return was topped by Robert Ruiz's 91-yarder in 2016
by John Hirn
CSU Athletics Historian
Robert Ruiz fielded the punt at his own nine-yard-line, ran back two yards to regain his momentum and then turned up the far sideline speeding past his teammates and San Diego State players. By the time he reached the Rams' 30-yard-line, Ruiz cut toward mid-field and once he hit the 50-yard line made a straight line between the hash markers to the end zone. No Aztec players could catch up to the senior from El Cajon, Calif., before he crossed the goal line in a mere 13.52 seconds.
In that short moment played out on the Qualcomm Stadium turf in San Diego on Nov. 26, 2016, Robert Ruiz erased the oldest record in school history by returning that punt 91-yards for a touchdown. The previous mark had stood for 90 years and 40 days; held by Glen Davis since Oct. 16, 1926.
In 1926, Glen Davis was a sophomore from Pueblo, Colo., who had made the varsity football team earlier that season and shown great success among Coach Harry Hughes' veteran athletes. Davis entered the DU game with two bruised ribs, but determined to play since team captain Fay Rankin was unable to start due to a shoulder injury. The Aggies traveled to DU Stadium, the brand new home of the University of Denver Pioneers that had opened earlier that month for a pivotal conference game against their long-time foes.
The Pioneers were heavy favorites and picked to win the conference title in 1926, so the Aggies without their star captain and other players banged up, were picked as sure losers. Both teams played to a scoreless tie in the first quarter, with Glen Davis consistently punting the ball deep out of Aggie territory to push DU back. The Pioneers pushed onward and as the first half came to an end, DU scored the first touchdown of the day, missing the PAT kick.
The third quarter was a carbon copy of the first with plenty of defense and little offense. The only difference was that Rankin, unable to make full use of his left arm, entered the game and inspired his teammates to hang on tight against the faster and heavier DU team. Still though, the Aggies could not muster enough ground and as the 4th quarter began, still trailed 6-0.
With seven minutes remaining in the game, DU was forced to punt the ball to Glen Davis, who received it at his own 10-yard-line. Earl Tinsman, lanky Aggie end, threw a block at the nearest Pioneer tackler and Davis took off with a sea of green to protect him. As Davis continued down the field, Aggie blockers moved Pioneer would-be tacklers out of the way until Rollie Caldwell rolled under the last DU tackler to allow Davis to score on the 90-yard return. Glen Amet calmly kicked the extra point and the Aggies took a 7-6 lead. Despite their best efforts to come back, and with more help from Davis on an interception late in the game, the Aggies took the game and generated some excitement in the Rocky Mountains with the upset.
According to the Collegian, Davis' 90-yard return was the longest punt return in college football in 1926 and as it ended up, was the longest in school history for 90 years. Jack Christiansen just missed the record 22 years later against CU in Boulder with an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown in his first time ever starting for Colorado A&M Football. Dallas Davis also ran back an 89-yard punt return in 1999 against Utah for the longest punt return for a touchdown at home, but when Robert Ruiz took that ball 91-yards in San Diego he finally broke the oldest record in CSU football history.
Today, the oldest record in school history belongs to Gary Glick, who has held the single-season interception record since 1954 with eight. If Glick's record stands as long as Davis' did, it will not be until 2044 for that record to fall. Records were meant to be broken, but nobody ever said how long it would take for them to fall.
Â
CSU Athletics Historian
Robert Ruiz fielded the punt at his own nine-yard-line, ran back two yards to regain his momentum and then turned up the far sideline speeding past his teammates and San Diego State players. By the time he reached the Rams' 30-yard-line, Ruiz cut toward mid-field and once he hit the 50-yard line made a straight line between the hash markers to the end zone. No Aztec players could catch up to the senior from El Cajon, Calif., before he crossed the goal line in a mere 13.52 seconds.
In that short moment played out on the Qualcomm Stadium turf in San Diego on Nov. 26, 2016, Robert Ruiz erased the oldest record in school history by returning that punt 91-yards for a touchdown. The previous mark had stood for 90 years and 40 days; held by Glen Davis since Oct. 16, 1926.
In 1926, Glen Davis was a sophomore from Pueblo, Colo., who had made the varsity football team earlier that season and shown great success among Coach Harry Hughes' veteran athletes. Davis entered the DU game with two bruised ribs, but determined to play since team captain Fay Rankin was unable to start due to a shoulder injury. The Aggies traveled to DU Stadium, the brand new home of the University of Denver Pioneers that had opened earlier that month for a pivotal conference game against their long-time foes.
The Pioneers were heavy favorites and picked to win the conference title in 1926, so the Aggies without their star captain and other players banged up, were picked as sure losers. Both teams played to a scoreless tie in the first quarter, with Glen Davis consistently punting the ball deep out of Aggie territory to push DU back. The Pioneers pushed onward and as the first half came to an end, DU scored the first touchdown of the day, missing the PAT kick.
The third quarter was a carbon copy of the first with plenty of defense and little offense. The only difference was that Rankin, unable to make full use of his left arm, entered the game and inspired his teammates to hang on tight against the faster and heavier DU team. Still though, the Aggies could not muster enough ground and as the 4th quarter began, still trailed 6-0.
With seven minutes remaining in the game, DU was forced to punt the ball to Glen Davis, who received it at his own 10-yard-line. Earl Tinsman, lanky Aggie end, threw a block at the nearest Pioneer tackler and Davis took off with a sea of green to protect him. As Davis continued down the field, Aggie blockers moved Pioneer would-be tacklers out of the way until Rollie Caldwell rolled under the last DU tackler to allow Davis to score on the 90-yard return. Glen Amet calmly kicked the extra point and the Aggies took a 7-6 lead. Despite their best efforts to come back, and with more help from Davis on an interception late in the game, the Aggies took the game and generated some excitement in the Rocky Mountains with the upset.
According to the Collegian, Davis' 90-yard return was the longest punt return in college football in 1926 and as it ended up, was the longest in school history for 90 years. Jack Christiansen just missed the record 22 years later against CU in Boulder with an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown in his first time ever starting for Colorado A&M Football. Dallas Davis also ran back an 89-yard punt return in 1999 against Utah for the longest punt return for a touchdown at home, but when Robert Ruiz took that ball 91-yards in San Diego he finally broke the oldest record in CSU football history.
Today, the oldest record in school history belongs to Gary Glick, who has held the single-season interception record since 1954 with eight. If Glick's record stands as long as Davis' did, it will not be until 2044 for that record to fall. Records were meant to be broken, but nobody ever said how long it would take for them to fall.
Â
Inside The Tight End Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Monday, May 11
Inside the Quarterback Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Friday, May 08
Inside the Nickelback Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Monday, April 27
Inside the Safety Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Friday, April 24