Kentucky's MacGinnis Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Kentucky Football Kicker Austin MacGinnis Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week After Game-Winning Field Goal to Upset Louisville

Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats kicker Austin McGinnis (99) reacts along side wide receiver Kynan Smith (42) after scoring the game winning field goal against the Louisville Cardinals during the second quarter at Papa John

Kentucky Wildcat kicker Austin MacGinnis has been named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after his heart-stopping 47-yard game-winning field goal over the 11th-ranked rival Louisville Cardinals.

“As soon as we got the fumble, I was like, I’m going to have to kick it,” MacGinnis said. “You gotta put that in your mind. You can’t expect them to get a touchdown and not be ready to kick. As soon as we got that fumble, I knew that my team was going to give me a chance.”

MacGinnis, a junior from Wedowee, AL, was perfect on the day, hitting five extra points and two field goals from 35 and 47 yards, the latter giving Kentucky the go-ahead lead, 41-38, with 12 seconds remaining to play.

The award marks the second time this season MacGinnis has been named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. MacGinnis also received the award following his incredible 51-yard game winner against Mississippi State on Oct. 24.

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On the season, MacGinnis has made 15-18 field goals, along with an outstanding five out of six from 40 yards or more, including those two game winners. MacGinnis now has more made field goals in the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry than anyone, with six field goals in Governor’s Cup games. The total also pushed him to 253 career points, now second all-time in scoring for Kentucky.