Illinois Fighting Illini senior punter Anthony Santella and Iowa Hawkeyes senior punter Ryan Donahue (a 2009 Semifinalist for the award) were named two of 10 semifinalists for the 2010 Ray Guy Award, the Augusta Sports Council announced Friday. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top punter.
So the Big Ten is represented well when it comes to the punt game.
Santella has become one of the nation’s best punters in his senior campaign, averaging 46.2 yards per punt, which ranks eighth in the country. He also is averaging a net of 39.5 yards per punt, 12th-best in the nation. Santella also has recorded a career-best 16 punts over 50 yards and 12 inside the 20-yard line in 2010.
The last Illini punter to be named a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award list was Steve Weatherford in 2004.
The Ray Guy Award will be presented as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Remaining 8 2010 Ray Guy Award Semifinalists
Bryan Anger (Jr.) – California
Drew Butler (Jr.) – Georgia (2009 winner)
Reid Forrest (Sr.) – Washington State
Chas Henry (Sr.) – Florida (2009 Finalist)
Dan Hutchins (Sr.) – Pittsburgh
Kyle Martens (Jr.) – Rice
Quinn Sharp (So.) – Oklahoma State
Dawson Zimmerman (Jr.) – Clemson