'Knuckleballs': Aussie star's ‘voodoo’ punts wreak NFL havoc
San Francisco 49ers punter Mitch Wishnowsky’s unique Australian style of kicking caused plenty of headaches for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 49ers’ 26-23 overtime win on Monday morning (AEDT).
Wishnowsky’s punting forced two first-half fumbles by Bengals returner Darius Phillips, with both turnovers resulting in points for San Francisco.
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The first muffed punt came midway through the first quarter, when Phillips spilt Wishnowsky’s 39-yard kick and it was recovered by River Cracraft at the Bengals’ 23-yard line.
The 49ers converted Phillips’ error into three points, courtesy of a Robbie Gould field goal from 33 yards.
Niners Ball! @rivercracraft with the recovery 👏 #SFvsCIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/mQviwzDeLl
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 12, 2021
Wishnowsky was at it again just before halftime, unleashing 47-yard bomb that forced another dropped catch from Phillips, with Trent Sherfield diving on the loose ball for the 49ers on this occasion.
Jimmy Garoppolo promptly moved the ball downfield on the ensuing drive, ending with a 14-yard touchdown pass to George Kittle.
Another ONE! This time @Channel__10 recovers 👀#SFvsCIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/pi3o5VOH7S
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 12, 2021
Mitch Wishnowsky is the uninamous first-half MVP.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) December 12, 2021
With the contest going down to the wire, Wishnowsky also had an important 50-yard punt that pinned the Bengals at their own 13-yard line in the dying stages of the fourth quarter.
Mitch Wishnowsky has delivered all game. That punt sets up the 49ers defense, which promptly sacks Joe Burrow.
(Bosa, Nick)— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 13, 2021
It has become common amongst Australian punters in the NFL to use their full repertoire of Aussie rules-style kicks, including the end-over-end drop punt and banana kick, to make life difficult for returners used to catching the more traditional spiral punt.
While it’s tough to decipher exactly the type of kicks Wishnowsky employed to force the errors from Phillips, that didn’t stop 49ers fans on Twitter coming up with their own theories.
Some of the terms used to describe Wishnowsky’s wizardry included ‘lethal’, ‘voodoo’, ‘funky’ and ‘knuckleballs’.
Mitch Wishnowsky kicking Knuckleballs today
— Jordan Elliott (@splash_cousin) December 12, 2021
Mitch Wishnowsky with the funky spin on that punt and Bengals returner Darius Phillips unable to handle it. River Cracraft with the recovery. A much-need big play from, not against, the #49ers special teams.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 12, 2021
Are these Mitch Wishnowsky knuckle punts? Where is @MaioccoNBCS on this?
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 12, 2021
Wishnowsky practiced that voodoo punt all week lol
— Nate (@nateisfinn) December 12, 2021
Wishnowsky’s punts are lethal today
— DRØ (@aleja_ndro05) December 12, 2021
Wishnowsky earns praise after punting clinic
Speaking after the game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the two turnovers by the special teams unit following Wishnowsky’s punts were pivotal in the outcome of the game.
“It was huge. Their backs have been against the wall these last few weeks,” Shanahan said.
“They’ve been down a number of guys and I know how disappointed we’ve all been with these last couple weeks especially.
“But today, that would have been tough to win (without them) today. It seemed like the ball was on the ground so much in the first half but our special teams with the two guys who came up those balls… if we didn’t get those two turnovers, it would’ve been a lot tougher.”
The 49ers are now 7-6 on the season and still in the hunt for an NFC Wild Card spot, while the Bengals are also 7-6 with their playoff hopes in the balance.
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