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Sakoda is averaging a 44.2 punt average and has had 18 punts downed inside the 20.
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Nov. 1, 2007
Augusta, Ga. - For the second-straight season, Utah junior Louie Sakoda has been named as a top 10 semifinalist for the 2007 Ray Guy Award by the Greater Augusta Sports Council, which identifies the nation's top Football Bowl Subdivision punter.
Sakoda currently ranks first in the Mountain West Conference and 11th in the nation with a 44.2 punt average. Of his 49 punts, he has had 18 downed inside the 20-yard line, including six inside the 6-yard line. Sakoda has 11 punts of 50 yards or more, including three 60-plus yarders. He had a season-best 67-yard punt against UNLV.
Sakoda currently ranks 15th in the nation among active players in career punt yards (6,768) and is averaging 41.78 yards per punt for his career.
Sakoda is one of a handful of players in the country who start and excel at both punter and kicker. He ranks first in the nation for active dual kickers and punters in career punts (162) and career punt yards. Sakoda averages more yards per punt than any other player in the nation who starts at both punter and kicker (minimum 15 made field goals). His 83.8 career field goal percentage (31-of-37) ranks first among all active dual kickers (minimum 20 makes) and third among all active players. Last season he was also a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which recognizes the best kicker in the country.
The Ray Guy Award is determined by a national selection committee made up of sports writers, college football coaches, sports information directors, past Ray Guy Award winners, and members designated by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. Among the statistics used to identify the Ray Guy Award winner are total yardage punted, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, net average, average return yardage, and percentage of punts not returned. It is also of importance for the award winner to display team leadership, self-discipline, and to have a positive impact on the team's success.
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The three finalists will be announced in late-November. The winner will be presented during the Home Depot/ESPN National College Football Awards show on Thursday, December 6.
