Valparaiso University football punter Ben Niesner (Black Diamond, Wash. / Tahoma [Portland State]) was named the Pioneer Football League Special Teams Player of the Week on Sunday night after his performance in Saturday’s contest vs. Drake.

Niesner averaged 45 yards per punt over eight punts including a pair of 50+ yarders in Valpo’s home opener. His 54-yard boot in the first quarter was two yards shy of his career high and pinned the Bulldogs inside the 2-yard line. He knocked three of his punts inside the 20.

Niesner ranks ninth nationally and leads the PFL with an average of 42.3 yards per punt this season. He becomes the first Valpo player to earn an official PFL weekly award this season, but this marks the second straight week a Valpo player has received an honor after Robert Washington took home College Sports Madness PFL Offensive Player of the Week on March 15.

A Preseason All-PFL Watch List member and 2019 All-PFL Honorable Mention choice, Niesner earned the first PFL Special Teams Player of the Week award of his career.