The Hillsdale College football team got a much-needed home victory in dominant fashion on Saturday, rolling past Kentucky Wesleyan 44-14, and a big day on special teams was a part of it.
Junior kicker Julian Lee had a strong outing against the Panthers that's been recognized by the Great Midwest Athletic Conference on Monday afternoon, as Lee was named the G-MAC Special Teams Player of the Week for Oct. 9-16.
It's Lee's first weekly conference award in 2023, and the third of his career as a four-year starter at Hillsdale.
On a wet and windy day, Lee was flawless on field goals and extra points, drilling a 43-yard field goal that was two yards shy of his career long and connecting on all five PATs he attempted. It's continuing a trend of returning to form for the reliable kicker, who now has two consecutive makes on field goals after a 2 for 6 start to the season. For his career, Lee is 19 for 26 on field goals for the Chargers, a solid mark for a NCAA DII kicker, and he's been especially reliable on extra points, with all 21 converted this year and 96 of 98 for his career. Lee also handles the kickoff duties for the Chargers.
Lee and Hillsdale have now won two of their last four games after an 0-4 start and have a chance at an impactful stretch run, as the Chargers look to start a winning streak with a trip to G-MAC newcomer Thomas More up next for a noon kickoff this Saturday.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan