Butler Finalist For Ray Guy Award

FOOTBALL

Junior punter Drew Butler has been named a finalist for the Ray Guy Award for the second consecutive year, according to an announcement made today.

Butler, a 6-2, 203-pound from Duluth, was named one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award after winning the 2009 award for being the nation’s top punter.  He joins Iowa senior Ryan Donahue and Florida senior Chas Henry in competition to be named the nation’s most outstanding punter in 2010.

Butler is third in the Southeastern Conference and 15th in the nation with a 45.0 average on 43 punts.  He has boomed 14 punts of 50 or more yard this season and placed 18 punts within the 20-yard line.  Butler and the Dawgs are also second in the SEC and third in the NCAA in Net Punting with an average of 41.1. Only 11 of Butler’s 43 punts this season have been returned.

Butler is on pace to become the school record holder in punting average for a career with a mark of 46.4 through almost three seasons.  The current school leader holds the record at 43.2.

The winner of the 11th Ray Guy Award will be announced live on ESPN during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards show on December 9th.

Junior outside linebacker Justin Houston has already been named one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, which is given to the nation’s top defensive player.  This award will be announced at a banquet in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 6th.