Chadron State’s Ben Puffer has been named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference/Rawlings Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the University of Nebraska-Kearney in the Eagles’ thrilling 17-14 victory last Saturday in Chadron.
Puffer, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound junior from Hot Springs, S.D., who has started on the offensive line the past three seasons, showed his athletic ability while blocking UNK’s potential game-tying field goal with less than a minute remaining in the Eagles’ win against the rival Lopers.
The blocked kick was actually Puffer’s second of the season. He also got his hands on an extra point attempt in the Eagles’ game at Adams State.
Puffer’s kick highlighted a stellar day for the CSC special teams. Shane Dennehy, another offensive lineman blocked a UNK field goal try in the third quarter, and wide receiver Brandon Harrington returned a kickoff 54 yards.
The Eagles (4-1, 3-0 RMAC) will play at New Mexico Highlands on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.