Top 5 Utah Football Punt Return Touchdowns Of All-Time

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah wide receiver Britain Covey had a punt return for a touchdown on Saturday against the Oregon State Beavers.

It was the second time in his career that he had a punt return for a touchdown.

That got the SportsBeat team thinking about the best punt return touchdowns in Utah football history.

5. Shaky Smithson Shakes The Rebels

In 2010, one of the greatest returners in Utah football history, Shaky Smithson broke off a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown against the UNLV Rebels. Smithson scored the special teams TD midway through the third quarter to put the Utes up 31-10. It was his second touchdown of the game as he also had a receiving touchdown earlier in the third. Utah beat UNLV 38-10.

4. Kaelin Clay Strikes The Heisman In The Big House

In 2014, Kaelin Clay took a punt 66-yards into the end zone at the Big House against Michigan. When Clay ran into the end zone, he struck the famous Heisman pose. The punt return TD came early in the second quarter to give the Utes a 10-3 lead over the Wolverines. Utah ended up beating Michigan 26-10.

3. Steve Smith Electrifies In The Snow

In 1999 on a snowy night in Colorado Springs, Smith had a hard time picking up the punt off the ground and nearly lost it to Air Force. Smith was able to scoop up the ball and took the punt to the house, blasting past Air Force defenders. The Utes picked up a 21-15 win over the Falcons.

Seeing @brit_covey2's punt return TD last night got the @kslsports team thinking about some of the great punt return TD's in @Utah_Football history. There were tons to choose from, but we've got a Top 5! You think this guy makes the cut? #Agent89
Tonight on @KSL5TV at 10:45 pic.twitter.com/ZPCkavi3i9

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) December 7, 2020

2. Boobie Hobbs And Britain Covey Fake Out The Ducks

In 2015, Utah pulled off one of the craziest trick plays on a punt return. Britain Covey was back to receive the punt against Oregon as was cornerback Boobie Hobbs. When the ball was in the air, Covey acted like he was about to catch the punt but the ball never arrived. All of the Oregon players thought Covey was going to get the ball but on the opposite side of the field was Hobbs catching the punt and returning it 69-yards for a touchdown. Utah beat Oregon 62-20.

1. Steve Smith Leaves The Lobos For 2nd Return TD

In 1999, Utah legend Steve Smith returned two punts for touchdowns in their 52-7 win over New Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 13. On one of his punt returns, Smith broke two tackles and was nearly brought down but he was able to break free and get into the end zone. Smith had returns of 70 and 52 yards in this game.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.