Sophomore PR/WR Marcus Bellon, after returning a punt 47 yards for a touchdown during UTEP’s 27-10 upset victory over heavily-favored Boise State, was honored as the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday presented by Blenders Eyewear.
Story Via UTEP Athletics
Following a stop by the UTEP defense on a third-and-19 with about a minute remaining in the third quarter, Bellon took the punt and made a dashing 47-yard return down the left sideline and found pay dirt. The score gave the Miners a 20-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Overall, Bellon returned two punts for a career-high 57 yards. Bellon added an eight-yard reception.
Bellon is the lone player in C-USA to score a touchdown on a punt return, while he ranks second in C-USA in punt return average (9.3 avg.). His 93 yards also rank second and he’s tied for first with 10 total punt returns. Bellon is one of 17 players at the national level who’s returned at least one punt for a score.
Bellon was the first UTEP punt returner to score on a return since Sept. 19, 2015, at NM State when Jaquan White took one back 64 yards. Prior to White, 2022 UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame inductee returned two for scores in 2006.
Bellon is the second Miner to receive the Special Teams Player of the Week following Gavin Baechle’s honor on Sept. 12.
