Johnson Named PFL Special Teams Player of the Week
Valparaiso University football redshirt senior Sam Johnson (Birmingham, Ala. / Oak Mountain [Jackson State / Alabama]) was tabbed the Pioneer Football League Special Teams Player of the Week on Sunday for his role in Valpo’s 20-17 victory over Indiana Wesleyan, a team ranked fifth nationally in NAIA, on Saturday night at Brown Field.
Johnson averaged 42.7 yards per punt and had a long of 49 while pinning four of his six attempts inside the 20. Serving as the holder, he also recovered a blocked 50-yard field goal attempt and completed a 25-yard pass to Ryan Mann for a first down, extending a drive that resulted in a crucial field goal that was eventually the difference in the three-point win.
Johnson ranks 11th nationally in FCS with a punting average of 45.3. He becomes the first Valpo player to garner a PFL Weekly Award this season. In addition, Nic Lendino was the league’s nominee for national freshman of the week honors for his interception with 5:05 remaining that helped the Beacons wrap up the victory. He also had six tackles including five solos. This marks the second straight week Valpo has provided the league’s freshman nominee for national honors after Caron Tyler earned that nomination in Week 2. The PFL does not officially award a Freshman of the Week.
The Beacons will look to make it back-to-back wins when they host Roosevelt at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Brown Field.
