Zaidan named OVC co-Specialist of the Week
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As Nick Madonia was being recognized before the game Saturday as the 2018 Robert Hill Johnson Award winner, it was only fitting that his protégé, Haidar Zaidan, show off his leg as well. That he did, kicking a career-long 54-yard field goal as Zaidan went 3-for-3 on field goals, as well as 4-for-4 on PATs for 13 points to help lead Tennessee Tech to the 37-27 victory over Jacksonville State on Homecoming. For his efforts, Zaidan was selected as the Ohio Valley Conference’s co-Specialist of the Week, sharing the honor with Tennessee State’s Chris Rowland, who had 131 all-purpose yards and a 57-yard punt return touchdown before getting sidelined for injury.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As Nick Madonia was being recognized before the game Saturday as the 2018 Robert Hill Johnson Award winner, it was only fitting that his protégé, Haidar Zaidan, show off his leg as well.
That he did, kicking a career-long 54-yard field goal as Zaidan went 3-for-3 on field goals, as well as 4-for-4 on PATs for 13 points to help lead Tennessee Tech to the 37-27 victory over Jacksonville State on Homecoming.
For his efforts, Zaidan was selected as the Ohio Valley Conference's co-Specialist of the Week, sharing the honor with Tennessee State's Chris Rowland, who had 131 all-purpose yards and a 57-yard punt return touchdown before getting sidelined for injury.
The awards are selected by a vote from the league's sports information contacts.
Zaidan's 54-yarder is the sixth-longest field goal in the FCS this season, besting the 51-yarder he kicked earlier in the season against Southeast Missouri. The 54-yard kick ties him with Madonia for the second-longest field goal in program history, equaling the kick the Tech alum had last season against Utah State.
The senior kicker now has two of the top 10 longest field goals in program history. This is also his second selection this season as OVC Specialist of the Week.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday as they head to Eastern Kentucky for their final road game of the 2019 regular season. Kickoff is slated for noon Central time.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
