“There is no ‘I’ in team.”

This old adage is applied to every team sport, especially football. That is why it is so unusual for a single player to outscore the opposition by himself, especially when this player never actually scores any points with his hands on the ball.

Place kicker Joe Marcoux accomplished this extraordinary feat in last Saturday’s game against Lehigh. The senior earned 15 of Villanova’s points in the 33-14 win over the Mountain Hawks.

Marcoux posted a career-high four field goals, which came from an array of distances, completing a 22-, a 23- and two 44-yard attempts. These latter two were also career bests for Marcoux, whose previous longest kick was 42 yards.

Along with securing 12 points in field goals, Marcoux also completed all three PATs on the afternoon. As a result of his stellar play, Marcoux was named the CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week for this week.

“I think the special teams had something to prove, and I had something to show this week,” Marcoux said in an interview with Villanova Athletics after the Lehigh game. “It’s good that our coaches and even our offense can start to be confident, and I think I proved that today.”

Marcoux hails from the eastern New York town of Campbell Hall. The kicker attended Don Bosco Prep, located in Ramsey, N.J., and was a standout athlete there. Along with receiving a letter in football, Marcoux was also a letter-winner in volleyball and track. He also earned many awards at Don Bosco, including an All-State selection his senior year, along with earning First Team All-League and two-time All-County and All-North Jersey honors. In track, Marcoux competed in the pentathlon and was named to the First Team All-County in the event.

Although this senior kicking fiend’s role on the team has increased as his time at Villanova has progressed, Marcoux was an important part of special teams since he was a freshman. In 2005, he took over kicking duties halfway through the season. The New York native converted 3-of-4 field goal attempts and 17-of-20 PATs. Marcoux’s first collegiate field goal occurred at Bucknell and was measured at 33 yards.

Marcoux looks to be an integral part of Villanova’s special teams unit this season while seeking to improve on the 70 points he recorded last season. If Marcoux’s kicking continues to rival his performance of the Lehigh game, however, the Wildcats will be fortunate that they have such a golden foot that displays accuracy and distance on their side.

“[Marcoux’s success] allows me to have a little more lattitude when there’s a 40-plus yarder,” Head Coach Andy Talley said. “It’s a big confidence builder.”