BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Junior placekicker Daniel Esparza of the University of Sioux Falls Football Team has earned his first career Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honor, according to an announcement today (Monday, Sept. 16) by the league office.

Esparza, originally of Dallas, Texas, scored 10 points as the USF Football Team earned a 34-12 victory over Winona State in a key NSIC South contest at Bob Young Field on Saturday (Sept. 14).

In his first year at USF, Esparza was perfect on his kicking as he made two field goals of 17 yards and 50 yards and all four extra points. He made a career-best 50-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, which was the longest kick since former USF standout Stu Vanden Heuvel connected from 50-yards on Sept. 9, 2017 also at Bob Young Field.

In 2019, Esparza has made all three of his field goals and converted 6-of-6 extra points. He ranks second in made field goals and his 7.5 points per game also ranks second in the NSIC.

Esparza and his USF teammates will face Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn., at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 21.