Arenas honored by SEC for weekend performance

BIRMINGHAM | Javier Arenas has been named Southeastern Conference Special

Teams Player of the Week after setting a school record with five punt returns for 147 yards and a touchdown in the University of Alabama’s 20-6 victory over Tulane.

The 5-foot-9, 198-pound junior from Tampa, Fla., broke Harry Gilmer’s 61-year-old punt return record. Gilmer tallied 122 yards in punt returns against Georgia in 1947.

Arenas’ 87-yard touchdown return was fifth longest in UA history. He finished with 212 all-purpose yards and made three tackles in the game before leaving with a possible concussion.

Arenas is now tied with David Palmer for career punt returns for touchdowns with four.

Other players honored by the SEC were Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno on offense and Vanderbilt linebacker Patrick Benoist on defense.

Auburn’s Jason Bosley was named offensive lineman of the week by the league, with Florida defensive end Jermaine Cunningham named defensive lineman of the week. Arkansas receiver Joe Adams was named the conference’s

freshman of the week.

Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain, who made 15 tackles against Tulane, was mentioned among the “other outstanding performances” cited by the SEC in its weekly awards press release.