Kaser named Ray Guy Award Semifinalist
Nov 14, 2014 | Football
Kaser, from Strongsville, Ohio, is the lone 2013 finalist on the list of Ray Guy semifinalists. Texas A&M's punting average school record holder is having a strong junior campaign, and his 2014 Ray Guy Award campaign was enhanced after winning National Punter of the Week honors from the College Football Performance Awards earlier this week.
In the Aggies' road upset of No. 3-ranked and defending Southeastern Conference Champion Auburn Tigers last Saturday, Kaser averaged an impressive 54.7 yards per punt, including a pair of late fourth-quarter boomers that flipped the field as the Tigers tried to rally.
Kaser's final punt of the night came with the Aggies clinging to a three-point lead with less than two minutes remaining and backed up inside the one-yard line. With his heels at the back of the end zone, Kaser calmly hit a high 50-yarder that Southeastern Conference punt return leader Quan Bray was able to return just nine yards.
For the season, Kaser is averaging 44.5 yards per punt and has had 16 boots downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He also has 12 punts of 50 yards or more and has forced 17 fair catches. The Aggies rank No. 13 nationally with a 40.8 net punting average.
The candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on the punter's 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 announced on November 24. Voters will then cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner.
2014 Ray Guy Award Semi-Finalists
JK Scott (Fr.), Alabama
Scott Arellano (Sr.), BYU
Scott Harding (Sr.), Hawaii
Austin Rehkow (So.), Idaho
Justin Vogel (So.), Miami
Tyler Wedel (Sr.), Northern Illinois
Cameron Johnston (So.), Ohio State
Drew Kaser (Jr.), Texas A&M
Tom Hackett (Jr.), Utah
Alex Kinal (Jr.), Wake Forest
The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, December 11 at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN's Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will feature live presentation of 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.
