Marlboro, MA --- WPI football kicker Nathan Napier (Natick, MA) was selected as the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week for the week ending September 13th.

Napier delivered a perfect kicking performance in WPI's thrilling 22-21 victory over the University of New England on Saturday afternoon. The sophomore connected on both of his field-goal attempts and converted a pair of extra points, accounting for eight points in the Engineers' first victory of the season.

After opening WPI's scoring with a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter, Napier drilled a career-long 50-yarder as time expired to complete the Crimson and Gray's wild comeback. Napier's game-winning kick came moments after an intentional safety and a short squib kick gave the Engineers possession at the UNE 33-yard line with six seconds remaining.

The weekly honor is the second of Napier's career as he was named the NEWMAC Co-Special Teams Athlete of the Week last September after kicking three field goals, including the late game-winner, in a 15-13 victory at Husson and is the first weekly honoree for the Crimson and Gray this season. 

Fred Mitchell Award Kicker of the Week

Napier also earned national recognition as a Fred Mitchell Award Kicker of the Week.

The Fred Mitchell Award annually recognizes the nation's top collegiate place-kicker from more than 750 eligible programs across the FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA levels. The award considers excellence on the field along with character and community service off the field.

WPI (1-1) returns to action Saturday, hosting Husson at noon at H.Carr Field at Alumni Stadium.

NEWMAC Football Weekly Report #2