TicketsCINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati junior punter James Smith (Wangaratta, Australia) was named to the preseason watch list for the 2019 Ray Guy Award, the Augusta Sports Council announced Wednesday. The award annually recognizes the nation's best punter.
Smith was a finalist for the 2018 Ray Guy Award, a First-Team All-AAC selection and two-time All-America honoree (FWAA - 2nd, AP - 3rd) in 2018. The Bearcats led the American in net punting and punt return defense, finishing No. 2 and No. 23 in the NCAA FBS, respectively. Smith averaged 46.6 yards per punt, ranking fourth in the NCAA FBS and setting the second-best punting season in UC history, just off Kevin Huber's school record mark of 46.9 ypp from 2007. Smith had a career-long kick of 72 yards at Temple, dropped 25 kicks inside the 20, had 16 boots of 50 yards or more and has only recorded one career touchback.
He was a preseason Second-Team All-America selection by Phil Steele's Preseason College Football Magazine and a preseason First-Team All-American Athletic Conference choice by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
The Ray Guy Award committee will meet during the season to select the ten semifinalists, who will be announced on November 19th. A national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will then vote for the top three finalists to be announced on November 25th. After the finalists are named, the voting body will cast ballots again to select the nation's top punter. The winner will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN on Thursday, December 12, 2019.
The Bearcats, picked second in the AAC preseason media poll, finished 2018 with 11 or more wins for the third time in program history (2008, 2009) and knocked off Virginia Tech in the 2018 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman. Entering 2019, UC is set to return more than 85% of its roster, over 5,000 yards of total offense, 10 of its Top-15 tacklers and 14 starters from the 2018 squad.
UC will report for training camp later this month to begin preparations for the 2019 season which opens in primetime on ESPN against UCLA on Thursday, Aug. 29 in Nippert Stadium. Anyone who has yet to renew their tickets for this season and new season ticket holders should contact the athletics ticket office at 1-877-CATS-TIX or online at GoBEARCATS.com/tickets.
HONORING THE 2009 BEARCATS
The Bearcats will honor the 10th Anniversary of the 2009 perfect regular season throughout the campaign with all season ticket holders set to receive an exclusive dual bobblehead commemorating one of the greatest plays in UC history, the 29-yard TD strike from Tony Pike to Armon Binns in UC's come-from-behind win over Pitt on Dec. 5, 2009.
All 2019 UC football season-ticket holders will receive the dual bobblehead, one per ticket purchased. The only way to guarantee receiving one of the limited-edition items is to purchase 2019 season tickets. The season-ticket book, also exclusive to season-ticket holders, features a dual 2009-2019 season-ticket design showcasing Bearcats stars of past and present.
Click HERE for more information.
TICKETS
Prices start at $99 in the Aquafina Family Section for an exciting six-game home schedule in Nippert Stadium which includes primetime matchups under the lights against UCLA and two-time defending American Athletic Conference Champion UCF, along with the annual Battle for the Victory Bell against Miami (OH), the 2009 team recognition against Tulsa, a homecoming matchup against UConn and senior day against Temple.
Check out the newly launched football season tickets hub by clicking HERE.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati football, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati football (@GoBearcatsFB) and Coach Fickell (@CoachFick) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.
Smith was a finalist for the 2018 Ray Guy Award, a First-Team All-AAC selection and two-time All-America honoree (FWAA - 2nd, AP - 3rd) in 2018. The Bearcats led the American in net punting and punt return defense, finishing No. 2 and No. 23 in the NCAA FBS, respectively. Smith averaged 46.6 yards per punt, ranking fourth in the NCAA FBS and setting the second-best punting season in UC history, just off Kevin Huber's school record mark of 46.9 ypp from 2007. Smith had a career-long kick of 72 yards at Temple, dropped 25 kicks inside the 20, had 16 boots of 50 yards or more and has only recorded one career touchback.
He was a preseason Second-Team All-America selection by Phil Steele's Preseason College Football Magazine and a preseason First-Team All-American Athletic Conference choice by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
The Ray Guy Award committee will meet during the season to select the ten semifinalists, who will be announced on November 19th. A national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will then vote for the top three finalists to be announced on November 25th. After the finalists are named, the voting body will cast ballots again to select the nation's top punter. The winner will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN on Thursday, December 12, 2019.
The Bearcats, picked second in the AAC preseason media poll, finished 2018 with 11 or more wins for the third time in program history (2008, 2009) and knocked off Virginia Tech in the 2018 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman. Entering 2019, UC is set to return more than 85% of its roster, over 5,000 yards of total offense, 10 of its Top-15 tacklers and 14 starters from the 2018 squad.
UC will report for training camp later this month to begin preparations for the 2019 season which opens in primetime on ESPN against UCLA on Thursday, Aug. 29 in Nippert Stadium. Anyone who has yet to renew their tickets for this season and new season ticket holders should contact the athletics ticket office at 1-877-CATS-TIX or online at GoBEARCATS.com/tickets.
HONORING THE 2009 BEARCATS
The Bearcats will honor the 10th Anniversary of the 2009 perfect regular season throughout the campaign with all season ticket holders set to receive an exclusive dual bobblehead commemorating one of the greatest plays in UC history, the 29-yard TD strike from Tony Pike to Armon Binns in UC's come-from-behind win over Pitt on Dec. 5, 2009.
All 2019 UC football season-ticket holders will receive the dual bobblehead, one per ticket purchased. The only way to guarantee receiving one of the limited-edition items is to purchase 2019 season tickets. The season-ticket book, also exclusive to season-ticket holders, features a dual 2009-2019 season-ticket design showcasing Bearcats stars of past and present.
Click HERE for more information.
TICKETS
Prices start at $99 in the Aquafina Family Section for an exciting six-game home schedule in Nippert Stadium which includes primetime matchups under the lights against UCLA and two-time defending American Athletic Conference Champion UCF, along with the annual Battle for the Victory Bell against Miami (OH), the 2009 team recognition against Tulsa, a homecoming matchup against UConn and senior day against Temple.
Check out the newly launched football season tickets hub by clicking HERE.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati football, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati football (@GoBearcatsFB) and Coach Fickell (@CoachFick) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.