Oct. 16, 2012. For the sixth time in his illustrious career, Appalachian State University punter/kicker Sam Martin (Fayetteville, Ga./Starr’s Mill) has been named the Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Saturday’s come-from-behind victory at Samford.
Martin averaged 48.9 yards over seven punts during the 28-25 win over the 25th-ranked Bulldogs, including two downed inside the 20 yard line and a 60-yarder. In the process, he raised his SoCon-leading season average to 45.2 yards per punt, which is good for fifth nationally.
He also kicked off five times with all but a squib kick in the waning seconds of the ballgame reaching the end zone.
Martin’s six SoCon Player of the Week awards are good for a tie for fourth in Appalachian State history, behind only Appalachian athletics hall-of-famers Dexter Coakley (8), Richie Williams (8) and John Settle (7). His six awards match the amount won by Dino Hackett and Armanti Edwards.
Martin and the Mountaineers, who remained at No. 13 in this week’s NCAA Division I FCS top 25 poll by The Sports Network (media) but moved up one spot to No. 11 in the American Football Coaches Association rankings, return home on Saturday for a mammoth Southern Conference showdown versus No. 8/9 Wofford. Kickoff between the Apps (5-2, 3-1 SoCon) and Terriers (5-1, 3-1 SoCon) is set for 3:30 p.m. at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
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