Northwestern University Athletics
Mitchell's Late-Game Heroics Garner Big Ten Weekly Accolades
11/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
WATCH: NU at Notre Dame Game Highlights
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Jack Mitchell's unforgettable performance in Northwestern's 43-40 overtime win at No. 15/16 Notre Dame earned the sophomore from San Diego Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors, the Big Ten announced on Monday.
Currently in his first season as NU's starting place-kicker, Mitchell entered Saturday without a made field goal longer than 29 yards this year but showed off his leg strength and accuracy when Northwestern needed it most. Mitchell overcame frigid temperatures to convert field goals from 46, 31, 45 and 41 yards, with the last two representing the game-tying and game-winning kicks.
The performance marked only the 10th instance of a Wildcat kicking four or more field goals in a game in program history and also tied a Big Ten single-game high this season. Mitchell's 46-yard effort was the longest made field goal by an NU player since Jeff Budzien's 47-yard boot at Iowa on Oct. 15, 2011.
Mitchell is the second NU player to be named Big Ten Specialist of the Week after punter Chris Gradone earned the honor on Sept. 22.
Northwestern plays its final road game of 2014 this Saturday at Purdue (11 a.m. CT, ESPNU) before returning to host Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 29. For tickets to NU's final regular-season home game, visit the NUsports.com online ticket office or call 888-GO-PURPLE.
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