Sept. 14, 2006

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The accolades keep coming for Western Washington University freshman place kicker Robby Smith, who was named Wednesday as a Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette/NCAA Division II Special Teams Player of the Week.

Smith, who also was given the North Central Conference Special Teams weekly honor, kicked three field goals, including the game winner, in a 16-13 win over No. 15-ranked Washburn.

Smith, a sophomore from Bellingham, shared national Division II special teams honors with Colorado Mines kick returner Michael Curl and Bemidji State kicker/punter Mike McDonald.

Smith's field goals against Washburn were from distances of 24, 33 and 40 yards. His 40-yard field goal with 2.7 seconds remaining clinched the Viking victory.

It was the first time that a Western player had connected on three field goals in a game since Michael Koenen booted four on Nov. 3, 2001 in a 46-14 win over Western Oregon. Koenen now handles all the kicking duties for the NFL Atlantic Falcons.

Smith is 4-4 in field goal attempts this season and has made good on all three of his extra-point tries this season.

Western entertains No.20 Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday (1 p.m.) at Bellingham's Civic Stadium.