ASHLAND, Ky. — Fresh off becoming the Eastern Washington all-time field goal leader,
Soren McKee is earning national recognition. McKee was included in the Fred Mitchell Award 2026 Midseason Watch List. The watch list recognizes 40 placekickers for their accomplishments through the first half of the season.
The Fred Mitchell Award winner is announced in December and is awarded to the placekicker with outstanding accomplishments on the football field and contributions ot the community.
McKee is 11-for-13(84.6%) on field goals this season and is 19-of-22(86.3%) on extra points. The senior ranks second in the Big Sky and fifth in made field goals. McKee's percentage ranks 2nd in the conference, and he ranks fourth with 52 points.
Two weeks ago, McKee recorded a career-best four field goals against UC Davis. The four field goals gave him 40 for his career, breaking the EWU record. He passed Jason Cromer for the top spot (39).
For his career, McKee is 41-for-54 on field goals, connecting at a 75.9 percent clip. The Bend, Ore. native is 146-for-150 on extra points, moving him into second all-time as an Eagle. McKee passed Mike Jarrett for second this past weekend in made PATs.
Starting the season off, McKee hit a career-long, 53-yard field goal against Northern Arizona. It's the third-longest field goal in the Big Sky this season.
About the Fred Mitchell Award
The annual Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award (also known as the Fred Mitchell Award) is provided to the nation's top collegiate place-kicker among more than 750 FCS, Division II, III, NAIA and NJCAA football teams.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the Fred Mitchell Award will release its Final Watch List. While many of the athletes recognized on the Midseason Watch List are expected to remain in consideration, there are dozens of outstanding kickers across the country who were just outside the current list and will have an opportunity to earn recognition with strong performances during the second half of the season. The Final Watch List will pair each kicker's on-field accomplishments with their community and civic service involvement, giving the Selection Committee a complete picture of each candidate.
2026 EWU football season tickets are now on sale! Join Spokane County's team for six home games at Roos Field in Cheney starting as low as $99. For more info, visit goeags.com/fbtickets or contact the EWU Ticket Office at 509-359-6059 or tickets@ewu.edu.
Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season tickets and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access, and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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