Former Penn State football kicker Robbie Gould was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his all-encompassing performance in Week 18, as announced Wednesday morning.

This is the San Francisco 49er’s first Player of the Week award since Week 12 of the 2020 season.

Gould has been a staple placekicker in the NFL for 17 years, but what set this Sunday’s performance apart was his adaptability. The 49ers’ starting punter, Mitch Wishnowsky, exited the first half with an injury and the team was forced to substitute Gould in.

In his first game punting since 2007, Gould punted twice for 90 yards, including one that landed inside the 20-yard line. As the replacement punter, Gould ironically recorded more distance on his two punts than the usual starter did with his two punts.

The punting success came in addition to Gould’s typical accurate kicking display. Gould hit all three of his extra points and both of his field goal attempts.

The latter of Gould’s two attempts came in overtime and eventually ended as a game winner, as the 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-24 and ensured their spot in this year’s playoffs.

In 13 games this season, Gould was 20-for-23 on field goal attempts, with all three of his misses coming on kicks over 40 yards. Gould only missed one of his 40 extra point attempts on the year as well.

Gould and the 49ers travel to their longtime rival Dallas Cowboys in a Wild Card playoff game Sunday. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on CBS and Nickelodeon.