Nov. 13, 2009
MEMPHIS, TENN. -
In just his first season as Memphis' full-time punter, senior Matt Reagan has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, presented by the Augusta Sports Council, to the nation's top collegiate punter.
Reagan has booted all 47 punts this season and averages 45.1 yards, which ranks fifth nationally. He has landed 18 of his punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line, and has logged 13 punts of 50 or more yards. In addition, 66 percent of Reagan's punts have not been returned. A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Reagan also handles field goals and PATs for the Tigers and ranks in the top three in school history in scoring (249 points), PATs made (114), PATs attempted (120). He is fifth in the record book in field goals made with 45, and has hit multiple field goals in 14 career games.
Reagan is a leader on the field and in the classroom, and has earned additional recognition this season as a semifinalist for the NFF Campbell Trophy and as a finalist for the ARA Sportsmanship Award. He was also named an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection.
This year 42 punters were nominated for the Ray Guy Award. 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. 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.
The 2009 Ray Guy Award Semifinalists
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
