By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -- The Ohio Valley Conference named Tennessee Tech kicker Nick Madonia as the league's co-Specialist of the Week after the Arrington, Tenn., native broke a 42-year-old record, hitting a 57-yard field goal during the Golden Eagles' 44-16 win over Tennessee State on Saturday.
The kick beat the previous record holders -- Murray Cunningham in 1974 and Ryan Weeks in 1989, each with a 53-yarder.
The OVC record is currently 62 yards by Murray State's Paul Hickert against Eastern Kentucky in 1986.
The 57-yard kick is tied with Tennessee State's Lane Clark for the longest field goal in the Football Championship Subdivision this season.
On the day, Madonia was 3-for-4 for field goals and he has completed 11 of his last 12 and is 11 for 14 on the season on field goals. He scored 14 total points in the victory.
Madonia also recovered the onside kick that started the record-breaking scoring drive.
Madonia also ended the day with a kickoff for 59 yards and a punt for 42 yards.
He shared the award with Austin Peay's Kentel Williams, who was also the co-offensive and co-newcomer of the week after rushing for 176 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, catching two passes for 42 yards, and returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown among his 181 yards on kickoff returns. His 399 all-purpose yards set the APSU and OVC record and is 20th all-time in a single game in NCAA history.
