ST. LOUIS, Mo. — For the second-straight week, a South Dakota kicker has garnered weekly honors from the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Senior kicker
Zeke Mata has been named the MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his career day at Northern Iowa, the conference announced Monday afternoon.
Mata booted what proved to be the game-winner in the 17-14 victory at UNI on Saturday to make it two-straight wins in Cedar Falls for the Coyotes. South Dakota has now won three-straight games heading back to the DakotaDome this weekend against Illinois State.
Moreover, the field goal from 58 yards out was a South Dakota school record, topping the previous record by four yards. It also sits tied for the second-longest field goal in MVFC history, missing the record by just a single yard (59-yarder).
The San Marcos, California native is now 2-for-2 on field goals this season with both being from 50+ yards. He's handled all kickoff duties for the Yotes, booting 36 with five touchbacks.
Mata becomes the fourth Yote to earn a weekly award this season, following
Will Leyland and his Special Teams Player of the Week honor last week (Oct. 13). They also join
L.J. Phillips Jr. and
Brock Woolf both back on September 15.
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