Nebraska sophomore punter Archie Wilson was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award on Friday, the university announced, citing the Augusta Sports Council.
The award, named for the Hall of Fame punter Ray Guy, honors the top punter in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Nominees are evaluated on overall statistics, with value placed on net punting average, the percentage of punts inside the 20, and the percentage of punts not returned, per Nebraska Athletics.
The numbers
Wilson is 21st nationally and third in the Big Ten in punting at 44.9 yards per kick, Nebraska said. He has placed 14 of his 33 punts inside the opponent 20-yard line. Official team statistics through the Nov. 7 games list those same totals: 33 punts, 1,483 yards, a 44.9-yard average and a long of 68.
Nebraska ranks ninth nationally and second in the Big Ten in net punting at 43.4 yards, the university said, and 15th nationally in punt return defense. Only four of Wilson’s 33 punts have been returned this season, for 11 yards combined.
What comes next
A national voting body of FBS sports information directors, media representatives and former Ray Guy Award winners will choose three finalists. Voting opens Saturday, Nov. 14. The finalists will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 24, and the winner will be announced live on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 11.
The other semifinalists, as listed by Nebraska Athletics, are Bailey Ettridge of Oregon, Max Fletcher of Cincinnati, Ethan Hyams of Wake Forest, Will Karoll of Texas Tech, Simon McClannan of Kansas State, Fuller Shurtz of BYU, James Wagenseller of Army, Tyler White of Texas A&M and Palmer Williams of Baylor.
Nebraska plays at Rutgers on Saturday. Kickoff is 11:30 a.m. CST on BTN and the Husker Sports Network.
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