ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced its 2017 All-America Team today and UCF's Mike Hughes earned Second Team recognition as a kick returner.
Hughes becomes just the second Knight to ever earn All-America honors from the FWAA, joining Kevin Smith, who received the accolades following the 2007 season. Prior to 2012, the FWAA only named a first team.
The first UCF player to earn All-America status since 2014, Hughes returned 16 kicks for 545 yards for an average of 34.1 yards per return in 2017. He ranked third in the nation in kick return average and fifth in kick return touchdowns with two on the year.
Hughes returned his first kick for a touchdown in UCF's win over Austin Peay, bringing one back 91 yards on Oct. 28. His second was a bit more influential.
With the War On I-4 tied 42-42 late in the fourth quarter, Hughes return a kick 95 yards for a score, to put UCF ahead of USF for the final time and clinch a berth to the American Athletic Conference Championship Game.
Hughes is the only Knight to return a kickoff, a punt and an interception for a touchdown, and he did all three in one season.
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