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Winfield Honored By B1G
9/3/2018 9:50:00 AM | Football
Winfield named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week
Antoine Winfield Jr. was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after his electrifying punt return last Thursday in Minnesota's 48-10 win against New Mexico State. Winfield shared the weekly honor with Michigan's Ambry Thomas.
Winfield returned punts in high school, but Thursday was the first time he did so for the Gophers. Winfield fielded the first punt of his collegiate career in the waning minutes of the first half. The sophomore caught the ball at the Minnesota 24-yard line, bounced off a would-be tackler and sprinted down the sideline before cutting back toward midfield and crossing the goal line. Winfield broke five tackles in the return and delivered a devastating stiff arm as he sprinted to the house.
The punt return was Minnesota's first since 2013, when Marcus Jones returned a punt for a touchdown at New Mexico State.
Minnesota's last Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week was Rodney Smith, who was recognized on Nov. 13, 2017, after returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
Winfield returned punts in high school, but Thursday was the first time he did so for the Gophers. Winfield fielded the first punt of his collegiate career in the waning minutes of the first half. The sophomore caught the ball at the Minnesota 24-yard line, bounced off a would-be tackler and sprinted down the sideline before cutting back toward midfield and crossing the goal line. Winfield broke five tackles in the return and delivered a devastating stiff arm as he sprinted to the house.
The punt return was Minnesota's first since 2013, when Marcus Jones returned a punt for a touchdown at New Mexico State.
Minnesota's last Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week was Rodney Smith, who was recognized on Nov. 13, 2017, after returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
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