Bills rookie Matt Araiza blasts 82-yard punt in preseason game vs Colts
Matt Araiza and Matt Haack are competing for a starting job
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Buffalo Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza impressed with his first opportunity to be on the field in an NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
The former San Diego State standout booted an 82-yard punt into the back of the end zone against the Colts. The play was called a touchback but the punter still managed to net an incredible 62 yards from a punt from the Bills’ 18-yard line.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza, left, celebrates with place-kicker Tyler Bass after Bass kicked the go-ahead field goal against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
"It was exciting. Definitely a new feeling being out there. The stadium is a lot bigger than the one I used to play in. Just grateful things went well and what an awesome way to end the first game," he told reporters afterward.
Araiza also held the ball for kicker Tyler Bass to put the game-winning field goal through the uprights. Buffalo won 27-24.
Buffalo Bills placekicker Tyler Bass boots the winning field goal against the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"That was awesome," Araiza added. "The first game holding, the game winner. Tyler is an awesome kicker, so I think he makes all of us look good. It’s awesome to be holding for such a good kicker."
Araiza is trying to secure the punting job against veteran Matt Haack. Both players had one punt each during the game. Haack had a 38-yard punt during his lone appearance.
Matt Araiza of the Buffalo Bills takes the field during practice on Aug. 5, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. (Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Bills selected Araiza in the sixth round of the draft. He was an All-American and the Ray Guy Award winner in 2021. The Ray Guy Award is given to the nation’s most outstanding punter.