LOGAN — Savon Scarver promised he’d do it.
Not break the Utah State school record for kickoff returns for touchdown in a career, something he managed to do in the Aggies’ 36-10 victory over Nevada.
Scarver is much too humble for that.
He did vow, however, that he’d take a few kickoffs end zone to end zone this season, after he nearly broke a couple such returns earlier this year against Wake Forest and Stony Brook.
“I’m thinking about taking a lot more out,” Scarver told the Deseret News. “I have ability that God gave me and I have to use it. I have a lot of freedom, and I’ll make something happen this year.”
Has he ever.
Scarver has been on a tear through six games this season, the highlight of which are a pair of 100-yard kick returns, one against Colorado State, the other against Nevada.
The latter broke the school record for kickoff returns for a touchdown in a career, previously held by Kevin Robinson, and permanently etched Scarver’s name in the annals of program history.
“He is special,” Utah State head coach Gary Andersen said. “Every time he catches it, watch out.”
This year, especially.
As a sophomore in 2018, Scarver was named the Jet Award winner, which is awarded to the nation’s top return specialist.
He averaged 33.7 yards per return, two of which he took to the house.
This year, Scarver has been even better.
He is averaging 43.4 yards per return, an average that would shatter the NCAA record of 40.3, set by Western Kentucky’s Kylen Towner in 2016.
His two returns for a touchdown are tied for the most in the nation, and truth be told, he is a mistake or two from having double that.
“There have been a couple times this year where he almost hit one out and just didn’t,” said Stacy Collins, Utah State’s special teams coordinator. “We’ve had a couple of penalties called on us.”
If Scarver keeps up his current pace, he will break nearly every single season and career kickoff return record in NCAA history.
He is special. Every time he catches it, watch out. — Utah State head coach Gary Andersen
With two more 100-yard returns, he will tie Utah’s Reggie Dunn for the most in a single season (4) and in a career (5).
Two returns for scores, regardless of distance, will tie him with C.J. Spiller (Clemson), Tyron Carrier (Houston), Rashaad Penny (San Diego State) and Tony Pollard (Memphis) for the most in a career.
Three more kick returns for touchdowns this season and Scarver will tie Ashlan Davis (Tulsa) for the most in a season.
“I hate to give all the credit to Savon, but he’s a great returner,” running back Gerold Bright said, tongue-in-cheek. “He set the record for five kickoff returns for touchdowns. That is amazing and for me to be on the field when he’s doing that, I am honored. I am honored to block for him and do what I am supposed to do to make him great.”
So what makes Scarver so great?
No. 1 is his speed.
“Savon has such top end speed,” said Collins said. “You are looking at a guy that has great top end speed.”
Andersen took it a step further.
“Unbelievable natural instincts,” he said. “He has such a natural skillset, to see the field setting up in front of him. He has tremendous speed, unbelievable athletic ability.”
No. 2 and what arguably separates Scarver from other return men is he catches the ball on the move.
“He does a tremendous job of catching that ball and moving forward,” Andersen said. “It may not seem like a big deal, but moving forward when you catch that ball is such a big part of a kickoff return.”
It is a credit to Collins’ coaching.
“We know what we’re doing back there,” said Bright. “Coach Collins tells us if we’re not going backward, we’re going, so get ready.”
The way Scarver adroitly approaches returns, that means he can return a kick from anywhere on the field, even deep in the end zone.
“I catch the ball, scan, and just go,” he said. “Whatever I see is open, I see a chute, I go. And I try to finish every return to the end zone.”
His success so far this season might limit opportunities in the future — “I’m super surprised (they keep kicking to him),” Bright said. “When Nevada kicked it to him the second time, I was thinking, ‘What?’ I guess they were thinking he can’t do it twice” — but the Aggies will do everything in their power to get him the ball.
“When you have an elite returner like we do, you try to set things up to get him the ball,” Collins said.
And Scarver has made the most of it.
• • •
Aggies on the air
Utah State (4-2, 3-0) at Air Force (5-2, 3-1)
Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. MDT
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KZNS 1280 AM