FLORENCE, Ala. (September 15, 2025) – The United Athletic Conference announced weekly awards for week three of the season Monday, naming University of North Alabama kicker Ian Vachon as the UAC Specialist of the Week.
 
This marks the first weekly award for the redshirt junior, who started his career at Birmingham Southern before transferring to Auburn in 2024. Vachon is the third UNA player to win this award, joining former kicker Scott Payne and return specialist Justin Luke who both won the award in 2024.
 
Vachon connected on all three of his field goal attempts in a 49-21 win over Northeastern State this past Saturday at Braly Stadium.
 
After making attempts from 22 and 27 yards earlier in the game, Vachon successfully booted a 55-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. This broke the all-time school record, which was previously set at 54 yards by Taylor Pontius in 2014 against Valdosta State.
 
Vachon also connected on four extra points and had two touchbacks. He averaged 60.6 yards per kickoff.
 
Latrelle Murrell of West Georgia was the offensive player of the week following a 35-31 win over ETSU. Yasir Holmes of Tarleton State won the defensive player of the week after a 56-10 win over Central Arkansas. Southern Utah's Ran Sawyer was the freshman of the week following a kickoff return touchdown in a 52-49 loss to Northern Arizona.
 
The Lions are back in action this Saturday, Sept. 20 at No. 4 Illinois State. Kickoff is set for noon.
 
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