By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University punter Taylor Wyman (Bellevue, WA/Issaquah HS) has been selected by the Beyond Sports Network as a national Special Teams Athlete of the Week following his solid performance as the Bearcats defeated Lewis & Clark College 56-30 on Saturday, Oct. 19. Willamette improved to 5-0 on the season, 2-0 in the Northwest Conference.

Wyman averaged an impressive 54.0 yards per punt on a total of four punts during the game. Two of his punts were almost downed by the Bearcats inside the 10-yard line, but went into the end zone for touchbacks. His longest punt of the game covered 66 yards, just one yard short of Willamette's school record.

For the season, Wyman ranks eighth in NCAA Division III with an average of 41.7 yards per punt on 24 kicks. Five of his punts have covered 50 or more yards.

Wyman, who also sees action at running back for the Bearcats, scored a 24-yard rushing touchdown against the Pioneers on Saturday. He ranks second on the team in scoring this season on five rushing touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversion runs for 34 points.

This season, he has rushed 34 times for 230 yards. He is averaging 6.8 yards per carry.

Willamette, ranked #21 in the D3football.com Top 25, will host Pacific Lutheran University, ranked #17, at McCulloch Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 26. Game time is slated for 1:30 p.m. (PDT).