IRVING, Texas — UTSA redshirt sophomore Tate Sandell has been named American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his school record-tying showing in the 48-27 victory over North Texas this past Friday night at the Alamodome, the league office announced Monday.
Sandell earned his first career conference weekly honor after matching the program standard by making all four of his field-goal attempts while also going a perfect 4 for 4 on extra-point tries and recording five touchbacks. The Port Neches-Groves High School product split the uprights from 42 and 44 yards in the second quarter to help stake the Roadrunners to a 27-7 halftime advantage. He then connected from 28 and 34 yards in the second half to help UTSA pull away for the 21-point win and improve to 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the league.
Sandell’s four field goals equaled the UTSA mark done three times previously by Sean Ianno, last in 2014. Sandell is 13 of 16 on field goals and 22 of 23 on PATs this fall since taking over place-kicking duties in October. He also has a school record 48 touchbacks on 61 kickoffs this year.
Additionally, Owen McCown was selected as one of five players for the league’s honorable mention player of the week list for the fifth time this season. The Rusk, Texas, native accounted for 467 yards to help UTSA break the school record for total offense. The redshirt sophomore quarterback completed 29 of 43 passes for 379 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for a career-high 88 yards on 10 carries, as the Roadrunners racked up 681 total yards to eclipse the previous school standard of 643.
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan won the AAC Offensive Player of the Week award and Tulane linebacker Sam Howard claimed the defensive honor.
The Roadrunners will close out the regular season home slate with Senior Day against Temple (3-7, 2-4 AAC) on Friday, Nov 22. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at the Alamodome and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Fans can purchase tickets online or by calling the UTSA Ticket Office at 210-458-UTSA (8872) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding holidays.
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