For the first time in his career, freshman defensive end Joshua Paschal has been named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week by the league office for his performance against Eastern Michigan.

This is the second time this season a UK player has been named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, as Austin MacGinnis was given the honor after his performance against South Carolina.

Paschal earned the weekly honor because of his blocked punt late in the game against the Eagles. That play put the Cats just 12 yards away from the endzone on their next drive, where Benny Snell would score the game winning touchdown on the next play.

On the play before the blocked punt, Paschal forced a quarterback hurry, which resulted in Brogan Roback throwing an incomplete pass on third down. 

On defense, Paschal also accounted for one tackle and a half a sack with Josh Allen. The true freshman has proved to be a valuable pass rusher alongside Allen and Denzil Ware.