December 15, 2000
Texas A&M punter Cody Scates was named to the Football News Freshman All-America Team Friday.
Scates, who is from Tyler Lee High School, averaged 40.2 yards on 52 punts for the Aggies this season. He became the fourth freshman in school history to average more than 40 yards per punt.
A USA Today and Parade All-American following his high school career, Scates responded to the challenge of replacing NCAA career punting leader Shane Lechler with a strong first season.
Scates placed 17 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line and forced 11 fair catches. His season long punt was 65 yards against Baylor.
He also handled kickoffs for the Aggies this season and managed 11 tackles in punt and kickoff coverage.
Other Big 12 Conference players on the squad are Texas wide receiver Roy Williams and Oklahoma defensive back Derrick Strait.
The Aggies will facing the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Independence Bowl on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. The game will televised nationally on ESPN.