Oct. 26, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Augusta Sports Council has announced the nominees for the 2012 Ray Guy Award, which identifies the naiton's top collegiate punter. Among the 69 candidates is University of Memphis junior punter Tom Hornsey.

The list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists to be announced on Nov. 9. Following the semi-finalists announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the top three finalists, who will be identified on Nov. 19. The voting bod will then cast ballots to select the winner.

Hornsey will enter Saturday's game at SMU with a 42.64 punting average which ranks 28th nationally. Beyond his season punting average, Hornsey has placed 19 of his 42 punts inside opponents' 20-yard line including 12 of those 19 inside the 10. He ranks fourth in both career punts and career yardage among active NCAA FBS punters.

In addition to being a nominee for the Ray Guy Award, Hornsey is also on the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot. The Exercise and Sports Management major has been active in several youth literacy programs including Read Across America, Community Readers Week and Family Literacy Night. He has also been involved with the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

This year's list of nominees also includes 2011 winner Ryan Allen of Louisiana Tech and 2011 finalist Steven Clark of Auburn.

The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards which will be broadcast live on Dec. 6th by ESPN. Nine player awards along with the recipients of Disney's Spirit Award, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team will be recognized.