UCLA redshirt freshman Jeff Locke is one of 10 semifinalists for the The 2009 Ray Guy award, which identifies the nation's top collegiate punter, the Augusta Sports Council announced today.
Locke is currently ranked 10th in the NCAA and second in the Pac-10 with his average of 44.57 yards per kick. He has 10 kicks of at least 50 yards, including an 81-yard punt at Arizona. He has also put 14 inside the opponent 20-yard line. UCLA also ranks sixth nationally in net punting.
This year 42 punters were nominated for the honor. The nominees were evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on the following statistics: net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line, and percentage of punts not returned.
This year's semi-finalists:
Drew Butler (So.) Georgia
Peter Caldwell (Jr.) Utah State
Desi Cullen (Sr.), Connecticut
Ryan Donahue (Jr.) Iowa
Johnny Hekker (So.) Oregon State
Chas Henry (Jr.) Florida
Jeff Locke (Fr.), UCLA
Rob Long (Jr.) Syracuse
Zoltan Mesko (Sr.) Michigan
Matt Reagan (Sr.) Memphis
A national voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) coaches, sports information directors, national media, and former Ray Guy Award winners will decide the three award finalists, who will be named on November 23. Voters will then cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner.
The winner of the 10th Ray Guy Award will be announced live on ESPN during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards show on Thursday, December 10. The winner will again be honored at the All Area Football Banquet presented by the Augusta Sports Council and The Augusta Chronicle in late-January 2010.
About the Ray Guy Award
The Greater Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia-native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Ray Guy. The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national selection committee of football writers, FBS college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team's success.
About the Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC) is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization, established in 1992 to market the Augusta-area as a major amateur sports destination. Annually, the Augusta Sports Council attracts, supports, and manages numerous competitions and activities for all levels of participation.
About the National College Football Awards Association
The Ray Guy Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official Web site, www.NCFAA.org.
