Sometimes the impact that the guy who kicks off and punts can have on a game can go unnoticed.

That alone is a good enough reason to include them in a weekly player of the week category. And it's a pretty neat deal to see a Montana kid, and a freshman no less, walk away with the honor.

University of Montana Sports Information Director Eric Taber tells us that today (Monday), Grizzly punter Patrick Rohrbach from Kalispell (Glacier High School) was named Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, for his contributions to Montana's surprisingly close 28-20 win over the Idaho State Bengals in Pocatello on Saturday. He also excelled in the kickoff category.

Even in a domed stadium, Patrick's numbers were pretty impressive. He did his job, helping Montana flip the field and forcing Idaho State to start numerous drives deep in their end of the field. That proved to be more significant than fans might have thought, given how close the game's final score ended up being.

Rohrbach's punts totaled 211 yards on four attempts for an average of 52.8 yards per kick. Two went for over 50 yards, including a gem that landed close to the goal line, then checked up and died on the two yard line. A pro golfer could not have checked up a golf ball with any more precision that that. Patrick also crushed a ball that traveled almost too far - a 68-yarder that went into the end zone and was brought out to start on the 20 yard line.

On the season, Rohrbach's college career is off to a very impressive start. Eric Taber tells us that he is leading the Big Sky Conference in punting after five games. That's helped the Griz to being currently second in the nation in net punting.

This is already the fifth Player of the Week honor for Grizzly football players this season. Patrick joins teammates Braxton Hill, Patrick O'Connell, Robby Hauck and Lucas Johnson as weekly recipients thus far in 2022.

The Griz started Saturday's game without four key starters and lost two more during the game. Hopefully this bye week comes at a very opportune time to get some guys much-needed healing time ahead of the only home game in October, a clash with the Vandals of Idaho on the 15th, and an extremely challenging second half schedule.

Our congrats to Patrick Rohrbach!

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