Nov. 9, 2012

Augusta, Ga. - Arizona State punter Josh Hubner has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2012 Ray Guy Award, which recognizes the most outstanding punter in college football, the Augusta Sports Council announced Friday.

Hubner has punted 38 times for 1802 yards through nine games this season, with 17 over 50 yards and a long of 73. His 47.42 yards per punt rank first in the Pac-12 and third in the nation. He has pinned 16 inside the 20-yard line, while opponents have returned 10 and just five have been touchbacks.

"Our punter is absolutely exceptional," head coach Todd Graham says. "Our punter is, no question in my mind, the best punter in the country. He has done a phenomenal job. He has really been a weapon for us, an absolute weapon for us. I am really proud of Josh and how he has performed. He has been phenomenal."

A 6-4, 238-pound senior from Scottsdale, Ariz., he leads a special teams unit that is second in the conference and 14th in the nation with 40.43 net yards.

"Josh has done a great job and one thing that has really stood out to me is his tremendous work ethic," assistant coach and special teams coordinator Joe Lorig says. "He's one of the hardest working guys I've ever been around and he takes a lot of pride in being the best punter in the country."

For his career, Huber's 43.6 yards per punt is third in school history. He has 100 punts, including 40 inside the 20-yard line, for 4,364 yards in 22 games.

The candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to the team, and emphasis was placed on team leadership, self-discipline and having a positive impact on the team's success. Statistics such as punter's net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned are also considered.

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 19. Voters will then cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner. The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN.

2012 Ray Guy Award Semifinalists
Ryan Allen (Sr.) - Louisiana Tech
Kyle Christy (So.) - Florida
Steven Clark (Jr.) - Auburn
Josh Hubner (Sr.) - Arizona State
Scott Kovanda (Sr.) - Ball State
Jeff Locke (Sr.) - UCLA
Riley Stephenson (Sr.) - BYU
Kirby Van Der Kamp (Jr.) - Iowa State
Tyler Williams (Fr.) - Marshall
Brad Wing (So.) - LSU

Ray Guy Award
The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national voting body of sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors and past Ray Guy Award winners.

Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC) is a non-profit organization which strengthens the quality of life and economic well-being of the city of Augusta by recruiting, supporting and attracting sporting events. To learn more, visit www.AugustaSportsCouncil.org.

National College Football Awards Association
The Ray Guy Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official website, www.NCFAA.org.