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USC's Zachariah Branch Selected as Semifinalist for Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year
November 01, 2023 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC wide receiver and return specialist Zachariah Branch has been named a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, today (Nov. 1). This award is presented to the most outstanding freshman player in college football.Â
Branch continues to impress the college football world with his shifty moves and electric returns. Against Stanford, he returned a punt for a 75-yard TD in the second quarter. He had a 96-yard kickoff return for a TD vs. San Jose State on Aug. 26.Â
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He also has 2 TD receptions this season and is the first Trojan since Adoree' Jackson in 2016 to have a punt return and kickoff return for a TD, as well as at least one receiving TD in the same season.  Jackson had 2 punt returns and 2 kickoff returns for TDs and 1 TD reception during the 2016 season.Â
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Since 1971 (when records are available) Branch is one of just 3 USC players to accomplish the feat, joining Jackson and Curtis Conway (1992 – 1 kickoff return TD, 1 punt return TD, 5 rec TD). He also had 4 receptions for 30 yards and 1 carry for 2 rushing yards against Stanford. Additionally, he also has a rushing TD this season (against Utah).
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Branch is currently No. 1 in the nation in combined kick returns (641) and No. 2 in the nation in punt returns (20.6), kickoff return TDs (1) and punt return TDs (1).
Finalists for the 6th annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be announced on Nov. 29, 2023, and the winner of the award will be revealed on Dec. 27, 2023. The formal presentation of this award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards in March of 2024, along with several of the other top awards in college and professional football.
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Branch continues to impress the college football world with his shifty moves and electric returns. Against Stanford, he returned a punt for a 75-yard TD in the second quarter. He had a 96-yard kickoff return for a TD vs. San Jose State on Aug. 26.Â
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He also has 2 TD receptions this season and is the first Trojan since Adoree' Jackson in 2016 to have a punt return and kickoff return for a TD, as well as at least one receiving TD in the same season.  Jackson had 2 punt returns and 2 kickoff returns for TDs and 1 TD reception during the 2016 season.Â
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Since 1971 (when records are available) Branch is one of just 3 USC players to accomplish the feat, joining Jackson and Curtis Conway (1992 – 1 kickoff return TD, 1 punt return TD, 5 rec TD). He also had 4 receptions for 30 yards and 1 carry for 2 rushing yards against Stanford. Additionally, he also has a rushing TD this season (against Utah).
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Branch is currently No. 1 in the nation in combined kick returns (641) and No. 2 in the nation in punt returns (20.6), kickoff return TDs (1) and punt return TDs (1).
Finalists for the 6th annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be announced on Nov. 29, 2023, and the winner of the award will be revealed on Dec. 27, 2023. The formal presentation of this award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards in March of 2024, along with several of the other top awards in college and professional football.
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