Jake Smith, seen here in the opener vs. NAU, is in his first season as Arizona’s kicker. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Arizona Wildcats senior kicker Jake Smith, who set a school kicking record with 16 points at UNLV on Saturday, is the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week.
Smith wasn’t overly taxed, but he did hit field goals of 41, 29 and 30 yards while connecting on all seven extra-point attempts. He also forced five touchbacks on 11 kickoffs, with the Rebels averaging only 16.5 yards on their six kick returns.
Smith also made one tackle, that coming on the game’s final kickoff. UNLV’s Keith Whitely took a kick a few yards deep in the end zone and was at the 35 near the sideline before Smith, tugging on the back of Whitely’s jersey, was able to bring him to the ground.
Smith also missed a 39-yard field goal.
Only three other players from were nominated for the Pac-12 Special Teams award.
–Cal’s Vincenzo D’Amato, who was 3 of 4 on field goal attempts and converted his four PAT tries.
–Oregon State’s Keith Kostol, who averaged 38.8 yards on six punts, with four downed inside the 20. He had a long punt of 53 yards.
–Washington State’s Andrew Furney, who made a 41-yard field goal with 3:03 left for the deciding points in a 10-7 win at USC.
When @iKick_ made that tackle his first words back were "I'm on the stat sheet!" I don't think we are gunna hear the end of this.. #Kickers
— BJ Denker (@VanillaV1ck7) September 8, 2013
Got the win, set a record and had no idea, Made a tackle, kinda… And won the coin toss! #BearDown
— Jake Smith (@iKick_) September 8, 2013