He was an all-purpose back at Alabama (2012-15) and during Sunday’s contest against the Jets, Kenyan Drake emerged with a game-changing play for the Miami Dolphins. Trailing 23-20 in the fourth quarter, Drake fielded a kick at the four-yard line. His vision would set up the blocks, as he found a crease in the middle of the field.
Upon breaking a few tackles, Drake’s acceleration took him 96 yards for a touchdown. His effort becomes the sixth-longest kickoff return in team history, while giving the Dolphins a 27-23 lead with 5:15 left in regulation.
SO. CLUTCH.@KDx32 goes NINETY-SIX yards to the house.
And gives the @MiamiDolphins the LEAD. #NYJvsMIA https://t.co/4WlgSjHBvl— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2016
Crimson Tide fans can attest to the joy Miami feels, being that it watched Drake return a 95-yard kickoff for a score in the College Football Playoff national title game earlier this year. The play in question was Alabama’s 10th non-offensive touchdown and aided it to a 45-40 win over top-ranked Clemson.
Miami’s third-round pick ended the game with 123 kick return yards (61.5 average) on two attempts.
Drake’s play would be the deciding factor, delivering the Dolphins to a 27-23 win.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
