TicketsNov. 1, 2007
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati's Kevin Huber (Cincinnati, OH) has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2007 Ray Guy Award, which identifies the nation's top collegiate punter. The Greater Augusta Sports Council received 56 nominations for the honor. Each of the punters on the list was evaluated on his overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on the following categories: net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line, average return yardage, and percentage not returned.
Huber entered the year with seven career punts, but is currently second in the country in gross punt yardage. The McNicholas High School product is averaging 46.7 yards on 32 punts this season. Huber established a single-game record with a 59.7 yards per punt average on three efforts in the 40-14 win over Marshall. He has notched 13 punts inside the opposition's 20-yard line and four have been downed on the opposition's 1-yard line.
The award is named for Thomson, Ga. resident Ray Guy, a 2004 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee and perennial candidate for the National Football League Hall of Fame. Guy, who played with the Oakland Raiders from 1973-86, is, perhaps, the first punter who could change the make-up of a game with his kicking style.
This namesake award, created by the Greater Augusta Sports Council, was begun in 2000. Mr. Guy said about this year's candidates, "It is obvious this outstanding group of punters have focused on team success instead of individual accomplishments. Everyone on our top-ten list have performed unselfishly, qualifying each to be worthy of being named the nation's top punter."
A national voting body will decide the three award finalists, and ultimately the winner of this year's award. The winner will be announced live on ESPN during the Home Depot College Football Awards show, Thursday, Dec. 6. The winner will again be honored at the Greater Augusta Sports Award Gala in early 2008.
--GoBEARCATS.com--