LOGAN, Utah – Utah State junior punter Stephen Kotsanlee has been named to the 2022 Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List, it was announced Wednesday by the Augusta Sports Council (ASC).
The Ray Guy Award, created by the ASC in 2000, honors the nation’s best collegiate punter in the Football Bowl. Kotsanlee is the lone punter from the Mountain West named to the 49-player list. He is also one of just two players from the Beehive State on the list, along with BYU’s Ryan Rehkow.
Kotsanlee served as Utah State’s punter and holder on extra points and field goals in all 14 games last season, punting 53 times for an average of 42.5 yards per punt, which is the ninth-best single-season punting average in school history. With that average, he ranked seventh in the MW and 50th in the nation.
Of Kotsanlee’s 53 punts in 2021, nine went for 50 yards or more, 19 were downed inside the 20-yard line and 20 were fair caught. Only two of his 53 punts resulted in a touchback.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound native of Melbourne, Australia, has punted 90 times in his career for an average of 41.8 yards per punt, which is tied for the seventh-best punting average in school history.
In mid-November, the Ray Guy Award committee will meet to select the 10 semifinalists, who will be announced on Nov. 8. A national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will then vote for the top-three finalists to be announced on Nov. 18.
After the finalists are named, the voting body will cast ballots again to select the nation’s top punter. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 8, as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
Kotsanlee is also a preseason first-team all-MW selection by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Utah State opens the 2022 season at home against Connecticut on Saturday, Aug. 27. The game will be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1, at 2 p.m.
Season ticket renewals are currently being accepted. To renew, fans should visit www.utahstateaggies.com, or do so in person or by phone through the USU Ticket Office during regular business hours (435-797-0305). New season ticket orders can also be made.
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