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SALT LAKE CITY — Following Utah's upset victory over the No. 5 Stanford Cardinal, kicker Andy Phillips has been named to ESPN.com's Midseason All-American team.
The freshman kicker has been one of the many bright spots on a Utah team that appears to be trending in the right direction. Phillips, a former five-year member of the U.S. ski team prior to joining the Utes, is a perfect 11-for-11 on field goals and 27-for-27 on extra points.
"We're just elated about what he's given us and what he's done for us," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said on Monday's press conference. "He's just been lights out, and that's something that's been a big difference for us. It's made a big difference in the complexion of the games, and I hope it continues."
Phillips drilled a 48-yard field goal attempt in Saturday's game against Stanford, which extended Utah's lead to 13 in the fourth quarter. Phillips is tied for eighth in the country for scoring, averaging 10 points a game, and leads the Pac-12 in made field goals and PAT kicking.
Despite his perfect record on the season, Whittingham said Phillips wasn't not very good when he first joined the program.
"He was not really anything sensational when he first joined the program," he said. "You know, he's gotten better since he got in our program, and that's a credit to Coach (Jay) Hill in coaching him up and helping him develop."
On Monday, Phillips was also named the Pac-12 special teams Player of the Week.
Utah defensive end Nate Orchard was also named this week's Athlon Sports defensive Player of the Week following his two sacks and two forced fumbles in Saturday's win against Stanford.
"I think Nate probably his best game as a Ute this game this past Saturday," Whittingham said.
