Nov. 20, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Joel Howells (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) earned his third career Big Ten Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honor on Monday after helping the Wildcats close the season with a 27-16 victory over Illinois on Saturday.
Howells wrapped up his career by converting both field goal attempts while successfully executing an onside kick. The senior place-kicker connected on a 36-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in the first half to give Northwestern a 17-16 lead.
He then opened the second half with an onside kick that led to a touchdown to give the Wildcats a 24-16 advantage. Howells added another field goal from 22 yards out with 2:17 remaining in the game to give the Wildcats a 27-16 lead and seal Northwestern's fourth straight victory over the Illini, the program's longest winning streak in the series since 1950.
He concludes his career with 23 field goals and 78 PAT kicks, sixth and second most, respectively, on NU's all-time lists.
Howells collects weekly laurels for the first time this season and third time in his career after being honored on Sept. 26 and Nov. 7 of 2005.