Michigan's Brendan Gibbons named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week

Michigan junior kicker Brendan Gibbons was named the Big Ten's Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday. Melanie Maxwell | MLive.com

ANN ARBOR -- Brendan Gibbons' left foot has come a long way since 2010.

After going 1-for-5 as a freshman under Rich Rodriguez, the Michigan junior kicker has gone 23-for-29 in the past two years under Brady Hoke.

He booted a game-winning field goal in the Sugar Bowl last season, and on Saturday, Gibbons' 38-yarder with five seconds remaining officially snapped Michigan's four-game losing streak to in-state rival Michigan State.

On Monday, he received recognition for that transformation.

Gibbons was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday by the league office after a 3-for-3 showing against MSU that included his biggest kick of the season.

The award was the first of Gibbons' career, and marked the first time a Michigan player has earned a Special Teams Player of the Week honor since former punter Zoltan Mesko won it in 2009.

Gibbons is now 10-for-12 on the season, and has made each of his last seven field goal attempts.

With his three field goals Saturday, Gibbons now ranks sixth on Michigan's all-time field goals made list with 24.

With three more field goals, he'll pass former kicker Hayden Epstein for fifth on the all-tie list.