Minnesota kicker Jordan Wettstein was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after the Gophers defeated Iowa 22-21 on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.

Wettstein, a junior walk-on, started his first game of the year Saturday. He subbed in for Chris Hawthorne, who missed the game with a muscle strain. Wettstein took advantage of his opportunity and knocked in his first extra point, made his first field goal and executed the onside kick that set up Minnesota’s game-winning drive.

“His feet probably haven’t even hit the ground yet,” head coach Jerry Kill said after the game. “He did a great job kicking.”

Wettstein had previously seen action in one game this season in which he had two kick-offs against North Dakota State.  

The award is Wettstein’s first Big Ten weekly honor.