AUGUSTA, Ga.--Despite a season-ending injury suffered against Oregon in late October, Arizona's Danny Baugher has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2005 Ray Guy Award as the top collegiate punter.

Baugher hurt his knee returning a blocked punt 39 yards in the second half against the Ducks, after booting four kicks for a 42.2 yard average to keep him atop the Division I-A national chart. After missing last week's game at Oregon State, Baugher still is the national leader with a 47.5 average, although he will drop out of the listings officially following UA's game Nov. 12 against Washington. A player must play in 75 percent of a team's games and Baugher's seven games played will hold up through nine Arizona contests.

The Greater Augusta Sportrs Countil announced the 10 finalists for the award today. A record 58 kickers were nominated for the award. Baugher is the only punter in the Pac-10 among the 10 finalists.

Baugher, a UA senior, still will be eligible for votes and with his 37 punts for 1,758 yards could remain a top choice. That would average out to a respectable 3.4 punts per game.

Each of the punters on the list was evaluated on his overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on the following categories: net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line, average return yardage, and percentage not returned.

The award is named for Thomson, Ga., resident Ray Guy, a 2004 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee. Guy, who played with the Oakland Raiders from 1973 to 1986, is, perhaps, the first punter who could change the make-up of a game with his kicking style. In fact, “hang-time” was added to football vernacular because of Ray Guy, who was known for soaring kicks and deadly precision. His namesake award, created by the Greater Augusta Sports Council, was begun in 2000. 

Guy said about this year’s candidates, “It is obvious this outstanding group of punters have focused on team success instead of individual accomplishments. Everyone on our top-ten list have performed unselfishly, qualifying each to be worthy of being named the nation’s top punter.”

A national voting body of Division 1-A coaches and sports information directors, national media, and former punters will decide the three award finalists, and ultimately the winner of this year’s award. The winner will be announced live on ESPN during the Home Depot College Football Awards show, Thursday, December 8, 2005. The winner will again be honored at the Greater Augusta Sports Award Gala in early 2006. 

2005 Ray Guy Award Semi-Finalists