Oct. 20, 2014
Commodore standouts Darrius Sims (So., KR) and Steven Scheu (R-Jr., TE) have been named to Phil Steele’s 2014 Midseason All-SEC Team.
Sims, a product of Whitehaven H.S., in Memphis, was recognized as a first team SEC kick returner by Phil Steele’s. Scheu, from Reitz Memorial H.S. in Evansville, Ind., was named as a second team tight end.
Sims achieved one of the most remarkable games ever by a SEC return specialist on Sept. 20 against South Carolina. The sophomore became the league’s first player – and only the 18th in NCAA FBS history – to return two kicks for touchdowns against the Gamecocks. Sims went virtually untouched for 91 yards on the opening kickoff, then took a third quarter for 100 yards. The second return matched the longest in team history earlier set by Preston Brown (at Ole Miss, Oct. 22, 1977).
On Saturday, Sims is matched against another of the nation’s most explosive returners in Missouri’s Marcus Murphy. Sims’ 30.8-yard kick return average ranks second in the SEC only to Murphy’s 34.3-yard average. Last Saturday, Murphy enjoyed an incredible single-game performance of his own, returning both a kick and punt for scores in Missouri’s 42-13 victory at Florida.
Scheu is having a career year as one of the Commodores’ top receiving weapons. The second-year starter has established new single-season highs with 19 receptions and 269 receiving yards.