Ate Em Up Winner vs. Texas A&M

Before leaving Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday night after one of the most historic victories in program history, I already knew exactly who was winning the most coveted award in sports, the Ate Em Up. Xavier Legette, and it wasn't close.

To come back from having 2 pass drops turn into interceptions, and respond with an opening kick-off returned for a TD and then the tackle he made on the kick-off late in the game, it was a no brainer.

Well, I rewatched the game and realized something, no someone, that nobody was talking about.

There was another player on the opening kick-off that if he doesn't do his job. It's just a long return and Legette doesn't make it to the house.

He steps up and ATE UP the kicker

Then as Legette stumbles a bit towards the sideline, where the kicker would have easily been able to push him out. This guy stayed with his block.

As Legette turned, he carried his block and swiveled almost like they were connected.

So on the very first play of the game, his play directly led to the opening Touchdown.

Now, there's 1 second left of the clock. Texas A&M actually has a chance to pull this out.

Let's watch our guy and see what he does.

He lines up to drop back in coverage, definitely not putting pressure on the QB from that far back.

Oh, but he does crash down, stay outside so the QB has to step up in the pock, but still not "in the play."

Until he is ...

He came from 4 yards off the line of scrimmage, was blocked, fought through the block, and when he got to the Quarterback ... ATE EM UP!!!!!

And that's why, against Texas A&M the winner of the Ate Em Up award goes to ... Bam Martin-Scott.

Without him, Legette doesn't get a TD and the QB at least gets the ball towards the endzone, where we all know anything can happen.