NEW ORLEANS- University of Idaho redshirt freshman kicker and punter
Cade Coffey was named the Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. Coffey scored a career-high 11 points, including seven in the fourth quarter and overtime, to help the Vandals rally for a 29-23 double-overtime victory Saturday, at South Alabama.
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Coffey turned in a perfect kicking performance, hitting all three field goal attempts and both extra points. He delivered a game-tying 34-yard field goal with 9:38 remaining in regulation, then tied the game again and forced overtime with a PAT with 13 seconds left. The Rathdrum, Idaho, native booted a 39-yard field goal in the first overtime to give Idaho its first lead of the game at 23-20. Coffey also had a 36-yard field goal in the first quarter. The three field goals are a career high.
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Coffey was also called on to punt three times, averaging 39.7 yards per attempt. His best effort of the day came on a 53-yard kick that pinned USA inside the 15, prior to Idaho taking over for the game-tying drive in the final minute of regulation. Coffey also delivered five kickoffs, with four going for touchbacks.
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It is the first weekly award of Coffey's career and the first for a Vandal this season. It is the 10th consecutive season a Vandal has earned at least one conference special teams player of the week honor.
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Idaho (2-2) is off this weekend, but will return to action Oct. 7, for its Homecoming game against Louisiana at the Kibbie Dome.