By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University place-kicker Camdin Dirnberger (Jr., PK, Missoula, MT/Sentinel HS) has been named the Northwest Conference Football Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts as the Bearcats defeated the University of La Verne, 24-21, on Saturday, Sept. 2 in La Verne, California. Dirnberger helped Willamette rally from a 14-0 deficit in the first quarter.

Camdin Dirnberger kicked a 30-yard field goal with 11:17 left in the second quarter to start Willamette's comeback for the win. He also went 3 for 3 on extra points during the game and averaged 55.8 yards on five kickoffs. For his career, Dirnberger is now 6 for 8 on field goals and 40 for 43 (93%) on extra points.

Willamette won its season opener for the second time in three years after downing the University of Puget Sound, 48-35, in 2021. The Bearcats are now 4-1 all-time against La Verne.

Up next for Willamette is a non-conference game against fellow NWC member Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, Sept. 9. The game will be played at Griswold Stadium on the L&C campus in Portland, Oregon, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. PDT. The Bearcats and the Pioneers will meet again in a Northwest Conference game at McCulloch Stadium in Salem, Oregon, on Saturday, Nov. 11.