AUGUSTA, Ga. — UTSA junior punter Yannis Routsas has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, the Augusta Sports Council announced Thursday.
Routsas is averaging 41.8 yards per punt and has booted nine punts of 50-or-more yards, including a season-long 61-yarder against North Texas. The Houston native has pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line on 24 of his 40 punts (60 percent) and he has induced 11 fair catches. Routsas is a key component of a UTSA punt return defense that has allowed just six returns for 13 total yards this fall. The Roadrunners lead Conference USA and rank fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision by allowing just 2.17 yards per punt return.
The candidates were evaluated by the Ray Guy Award committee on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on net punting average, number of times a punt was downed or kicked out-of-bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned. The semifinalists were chosen from a field of 78 nominated candidates. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.
A national voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, national media and previous Ray Guy Award winners will decide the three award finalists who will be announced on Tuesday, November 21st. Voters will then vote again to determine the winner who will be announced live on Thursday, December 7th at The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN in Atlanta, Georgia.
New this year, the Ray Guy Award will provide one vote as determined by football fans. The Fan Vote will be located on the Ray Guy Award website and is equivalent to one national selection committee member's vote. The vote will be included for the selection of the finalists and winner. CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR ROUTSAS.
2017 Ray Guy Award Semifinalists:
- Corey Bojorquez, New Mexico
- Drue Chrisman, Ohio State
- Joseph Davidson, Bowling Green
- Michael Dickson, Texas
- Corey Fatony, Missouri
- Cody Grace, Arkansas State
- Cameron Nizialek, Georgia
- Yannis Routsas, UTSA
- JK Scott, Alabama
- Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah
Congratulations to Yannis Routsas, who is one of 10 semifinalists for the @RayGuyAward.#BirdsUp?? pic.twitter.com/O2QqWuJ7Ju
— UTSA Football (@UTSAFTBL) November 16, 2017
About the Ray Guy Award
The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned with particular emphasis placed on net punting average. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.
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