Path to end zone clear for Fogg

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This article was published 08/08/2016 (3597 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kevin Fogg would like to focus on his defensive play, but in the meantime, he’s turning into one of the league’s top punt returners.

If not for a couple of ill-timed penalties, the Blue Bombers defensive back would be tops in the league with two punt return touchdowns, one ahead of his cousin and fellow returner, Brandon Banks of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“I’m just glad that we scored,” Fogg said of the two plays. “I’d be more upset if we didn’t score after any of them.”

Fogg is no stranger to the return game or the end zone. During his 2011 junior year at Virginia’s Liberty University, Fogg led the nation with a 33.5-yards-per-return average. His three TDs on returns that year tied for the most among NCAA Division I schools.

He once again is on top of the nation, only this time in Canada while owning the league’s best punt return average at 17.9 yards per return, seven yards more than Banks. And with the incumbent Quincy McDuffie sidelined with injury, Fogg could very well be planting his flag at the position.

“I’m just being a team player, being used where I can be used and trying to do something for the team,” Fogg said. “It’s always fun when I can go back there. My main focus is defence.”

The Blue Bombers haven’t had a bona fide, consistent return specialist for some time. With McDuffie and Fogg already staking claims at the spot, head coach Mike O’Shea said the return game will still move forward by committee as it always has this season, noting Fogg is an important piece of their defensive puzzle as well.

“We got other guys who can return and guys who are waiting very patiently for their turn,” O’Shea said. “I think they recognize that there is guys in front of them working very hard, too.”

Fogg has improved steadily since winning a starting gig out of training camp. Despite being a rookie in the league, he’s picked up all the necessary nuances of the Canadian game to be an effective man in the backfield. His 38 defensive tackles are good for fourth in the league and his six knockdowns has him tied for second best. He also has an interception to his credit.

In the end, Fogg said he wants to be better than Banks.

“He’s fast… he’s really fast and he can definitely get around the edge,” Fogg said of Banks, who’s personal best in the 100 metres is 10.42 seconds. “I wouldn’t say I’m as fast. I’m more of a try to get what I can get stuff and try to squeeze it in there. If you give him space, he’s definitely going to take advantage of. I’d say that’s the difference between us.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @scottbilleck

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

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