C-USA names UTEP’s Gavin Baechle Special Teams Player of the Week
DALLAS, Texas - Senior kicker Gavin Baechle was honored as the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday presented by Blenders Eyewear.
The award is Baechle’s second in his career. He was first honored after last season’s win over NM State.
Baechle was perfect on field goals (2-2) and extra points (2-2) during UTEP’s 20-13 victory over rival NM State in the 99th Battle of I-10 on Sept. 10 in the Sun Bowl.
Baechle tallied a team-best eight points.
Baechle got the Miners on the board first when converted a 29-yard field goal at the 6:42 mark of the first quarter.
He followed with a pair of made extra points on a pair of touchdowns – the first following a Tyrin Smith nine-yard touchdown reception from Gavin Hardison at the 7:07 mark of the second quarter and a Ronald Awatt 22-yard TD late in the first half.
Baechle capped the scoring with a 46-yard boot between the uprights with five second left in the third.
On the season, Baechle is 6-of-7 on field goals and leads C-USA with six made field goals.
Nationally, he ranks tied for second in FGM.
Baechle has scored 22 points, ranking tied for third in C-USA.
Overall, he’s hit on six field goals and four PATs.
Following its win over NM State, UTEP will take on New Mexico on Sept. 17 in the Albuquerque.
The Miners and Lobos will kick off the 80th meeting at 6 p.m. at University Stadium.
