Former Lakeland kicker earns conference honor for Vandals

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, the former Lakeland High School kicker, 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.

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 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.

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 touch backs.

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.

Idaho (2-2) is off this weekend, but will return to action Oct. 7, for its Homecoming game against Louisiana at the Kibbie Dome.