Lunsford Earns National Recognition Following Georgia State Game
10/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Accolades continue to come in for Liberty's John Lunsford following his efforts during the Flames' victory at Georgia State on Saturday.
The senior kicker from Fort Myers, Fla., has been named to the College Sporting News Weekly All-Stars. Additionally, he was an honorable mention selection for STATS FCS Special Teams National Player of the Week.
Joining Lunsford on the weekly national College Sporting News Weekly All-Stars list are Dartmouth quarterback Dalyn Williams, Richmond linebacker Kyle Lauletta, Southeast Missouri running back Tremance McCullough, Western Illinois linebacker Brett Taylor and Western Illinois kicker Nathan Knuffman.
Lunsford is the first Flame to receive a weekly national award from the College Sporting News since quarterback Josh Woodrum was named to the list in 2013. Liberty's last special teams honoree was Matt Bevins in 2010.
North Carolina A&T punt returner Khris Gardin was named the STATS FCS Special Teams National Player of the Week.
Lunsford's efforts this weekend helped Liberty down Georgia State, 41-33, on Saturday at the Georgia Dome. The win gave Liberty a victory over a FBS opponent for the second year in a row and the fourth time in program history.
Lunsford finished the game connecting on both his field goal attempts and all five of his extra point attempts. His season-best 11 points scored helped the senior move into second place on Liberty's career scoring list (259 career points scored).
For the second week in a row, Lunsford knocked down a 50-plus yard field goal and now is 11-of-18 on field goals of 50 or more yards for his career. His 11 career 50-plus yard field goals ties him for the most in a career by a FCS kicker.
His 56-yard field goal put the Flames up by eight points with 2:27 left to play in the game, forcing the Panthers to try to move the length of the field on their final drive. Three plays later, Liberty's Chris Turner intercepted a pass to seal the Flames' first road win of 2015.
The Flames will begin their quest to claim a fourth-straight Big South title on Saturday when Liberty travels to Boiling Springs, N.C., to face Gardner-Webb. Kickoff from Spangler Stadium is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on the American Sports Network (ASN).
