Two touchdowns, onside recovery get defensive end recognition, praise
ATHENS, Ga. — The question has to be asked.
What can't Melvin Ingram do?
South Carolina's senior defensive end had a career night, living every big man's dream with a 68-yard fake punt run for a touchdown, a game-winning fumble recovery for a touchdown and, to top it all off, a game-sealing onside kick recovery.
The performance earned Ingram the honor of Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week.
"Give Melvin Ingram credit for some huge plays," said coach Steve Spurrier. "A defensive tackle scoring two touchdowns, that fake punt run — gee, probably somebody's gonna ask how come he hasn't been playing tailback the last couple of years."
Here's the thing: Ingram probably could play tailback. The 6-foot-2, 267-pound native of Hamlet, N.C., is that athletic.
"He does some crazy stuff," said quarterback Stephen Garcia. "He's an unbelievable athlete."
Ingram played linebacker in high school. He says he can punt, left-footed of course. Garcia said he can do a standing back flip and Alshon Jeffery, Ingram's roommate, informed the media after the game that Ingram can dunk when they play basketball together. Associate Head Coach for Defense Ellis Johnson said Ingram "can probably throw the ball as far" as Garcia can.
The fake punt best captured the gifts Ingram has. New special teams coordinator John Butler installed a fake play called "Garnet" when he arrived in Columbia. The premise of the play is direct snap to Ingram after the line identifies a certain opposition formation.
USC got the formation or something close to it, Johnson said, and made the call. Long snapper Walker Inabinet snapped the ball to Ingram, who looked for a lead block. He found it.
"I seen (blocker Byron) Jerideau kick it out and I was like, 'Home free,'" Ingram said.
Not quite though. There was one more level of defense left between Ingram and the end zone. As Ingram sprinted down the sideline, looking like "an NFL fullback or running back" according to Johnson, star Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin charged, looking for the touchdown-saving tackle.
Ingram saw Boykin, who Johnson said also has NFL-caliber talent, go low to attempt the tackle.
"Why would a little guy like that try to tackle me up high?" asked Ingram rhetorically.
So Ingram went high instead, jumping over Boykin. Once he landed, Ingram didn't break stride, finishing the run for six points.
"He looked like a hurdler, going over him there," Spurrier said. "That was some run. I'm sure we'll watch that the next two days on ESPN."
Many said they were surprised by what Ingram did, especially on the fake punt. Ingram's teammate and coaches weren't among them though.
"We've always known about Melvin's athleticism," Johnson said. "The plays he made tonight, in several areas, were just unbelievable."
They also were extremely crucial plays on multiple fronts according to Johnson. The obvious impact of Ingram's plays was on the outcome of the game. The punt run gave USC a lead and much-needed momentum. The fumble recovery was the deciding play of the game. The onside recovery ended any Georgia comeback hopes.
The fake punt also will be a strategic asset down the road according to Johnson. Knowing what Ingram is capable of, every opponent will now have to be fearful of an encore and game plan accordingly.
"We don't have to fake another punt this year, and somebody's going to have to be concerned about the fake punt," Johnson said. "That's a big thing."
So, even when Ingram isn't trying to do something, he does something.
However, to answer the question, there does appear to be one thing Ingram doesn't do.
When asked, Ingram politely said no, he would not be driving the team bus back to Columbia.
"I'm going to ride," Ingram said. "I'm going to relax on the way home."
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