Dec. 19, 2010

Video of Dan Connolly's Record Breaking Kick Return

FOXBORO, Mass. - Former Southeast Missouri State football player Dan Connolly set a National Football League record on Sunday evening in the New England Patriots 31-27 victory over the Green Bay Packers. The 6-4, 313-pound right guard for the Patriots set the record for the longest kick-return by an offensive lineman in the history of the NFL game according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Connolly's record setting performance came with 2:17 left in the first half in the Patriots game against the Packers on NBC's national broadcast of Sunday Night Football.

After the Packers scored to take a 17-7 lead, kicker Mason Crosby squibbed the ensuing kick-off down the middle of the field where it bounced into the arms of Connolly at the Patriots 25-yard line.

Connolly, with both arms around the ball, ran forward and found a running lane at the Patriots 35-yard line. He then bounced outside near the 50-yard line and found running room after out-running the pursuit angle of safety Charlie Peprah, beating him to the sideline and later stiff-arming him as he crossed the Packers 35-yard line.

From there he continued down the Patriots sideline as the Packers kick coverage pursued.

At the 15-yard line, he cut-back as Crosby and safety Atari Bigby each missed on their tackle attempts. He was finally caught from behind by a lunging Robert Francois, four-yards short of the goal line.

Connolly was mobbed by his teammates after the play, as the Gillette Stadium field erupted in cheers.

Three plays later, rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez scored on a two-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to make it 17-14.

According to STATS Inc., Connolly's rumble Sunday night is the longest since 1976, when complete records have been kept. Detroit's Larry Tearry had a 30-yard return in 1978 that had been was recognized as the longest since then.

Connolly was a four-year starter for Southeast from 2001-04, earning All-Ohio Valley Conference honors all four years, including First Team accolades his senior season.

He was signed as a free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars after the 2005 NFL Draft. He was a two-year member of the Jaguars practice squad before being signed by the Patriots prior to the 2007 season.

He spent two seasons on their practice squad before making his Patriots debut against Atlanta on special teams on Sept. 27, 2009. He made his first NFL start on Nov. 22, 2009 at right guard and would end the season appearing in 14 games with four starts.

This season he has appeared in all 14 games for the Patriots including 13 starts. He started the first seven games of the season for the Patriots, playing left guard. He has also appeared at right guard, center, tight end and fullback in goal line packages for the Patriots this season.

Prior to the Packers game, he had two returns this season for 19 yards with his previous high return of 11 yards.

Connolly is one of three Southeast players that started the season on NFL rosters. Eugene Amano was the Tennessee Titans starting center before being put on inactive reserve, ending his season. Edgar Jones was on the Baltimore Ravens roster before being cut two months ago.