The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Nikia Eason Jr. Named C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week
10/19/2020 11:59:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – For blocking a punt which was returned 37 yards for a touchdown in UAB's 37-14 victory over WKU, sophomore outside linebacker Nikia Eason Jr. has been named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week.
With the Blazers ahead 24-14 just moments into the second half, Eason Jr. busted the game wide open when he blocked John Haggerty's punt that landed at the feet of wide receiver Ryan Davis who returned it for a touchdown. That play iced the game for UAB by moving the Blazers ahead 31-14.
Eason's punt block for a touchdown was UAB's first since its game at Rice on Oct. 13, 2018.
Eason Jr. highlighted a tremendous special teams effort for the Blazers on Saturday. Along with his play, kicker Matt Quinn was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and 4-for-4 on PAT, which earned him a Lou Groza Star of the Week.
UAB also held WKU to just 94 total kickoff return yards on five returns, good for an average of 18.4 yards per return.
Eason Jr. is now the second Blazer to earn the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week distinction, joining Quinn who won the award in UAB's season opener against Central Arkansas.
The Blazers (4-1) are back in action this Friday, Oct. 23, against Louisiana (3-1) in a massive non-conference showdown at Legion Field. Kickoff on CBS Sports Network is set for 7 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.
With the Blazers ahead 24-14 just moments into the second half, Eason Jr. busted the game wide open when he blocked John Haggerty's punt that landed at the feet of wide receiver Ryan Davis who returned it for a touchdown. That play iced the game for UAB by moving the Blazers ahead 31-14.
Eason's punt block for a touchdown was UAB's first since its game at Rice on Oct. 13, 2018.
Eason Jr. highlighted a tremendous special teams effort for the Blazers on Saturday. Along with his play, kicker Matt Quinn was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and 4-for-4 on PAT, which earned him a Lou Groza Star of the Week.
UAB also held WKU to just 94 total kickoff return yards on five returns, good for an average of 18.4 yards per return.
Eason Jr. is now the second Blazer to earn the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week distinction, joining Quinn who won the award in UAB's season opener against Central Arkansas.
The Blazers (4-1) are back in action this Friday, Oct. 23, against Louisiana (3-1) in a massive non-conference showdown at Legion Field. Kickoff on CBS Sports Network is set for 7 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.
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