CHARLOTTE, N.C. - For the second time this season and the fifth time in his career, University of North Alabama senior punter Joe Gurley of Killen, Ala., has been named the Big South Conference Special Teams Player of the Week by the league office.

 

In the Lions’ September 11 game against 24th ranked Chattanooga, Gurley punted eight times and averaged 45.1 yards. He had one boot downed on the Mocs four-yard line and another on the 11. He also had punts of 55 and 57 yards in the game.

 

UTC attempted to retun four punts and managed just eight total yards.

 

Gurley was also honored as Big South Special Teams Player of the Week following the Lions’ season-opener against Southeastern Louisiana, and received three awards in 2019.

 

For the season, Gurley is averaging 44.9 yards on 12 total punts. 

 

Gurley’s 44.9-yard average would rank ninth nationally in the FCS but the Lions are not eligible for rankings until after they complete their four-year Division I transition.