By Tiffany Williams –
Elon’s senior punter Jeff Yurk just booted his way into the record books — and straight to national recognition.
Yurk was named the FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week by Stats Perform after a jaw-dropping performance in Elon’s 37-31 win at Western Carolina. The All-American averaged a staggering 55.2 yards on six punts, setting a program record and flipping the field all night. Five of those punts traveled more than 50 yards, including a career-best 74-yarder that left the Catamounts pinned and gasping for breathing room.
It wasn’t just a team record — it was historic for the entire subdivision. Yurk’s average was the highest by any FCS punter with at least five attempts since the spring 2021 season, cementing him as a true weapon in the Phoenix arsenal.
Stats Perform also handed out honorable mentions across the country, with Monmouth QB Derek Robertson (offense), Hampton LB Harold O’Neal III (defense), Rhode Island kicker Garth White (special teams), and Elon QB Landen Clark (freshman) earning nods. North Carolina A&T got a team shoutout for its showing as well.
But this week belonged to Yurk, who turned special teams into a game-changing advantage and gave Elon’s defense the upper hand every time he stepped onto the field.