Cusick returns to Ray Guy award watch list

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The preseason watch list for the 2019 Ray Guy Award, which honors the nation's top collegiate punter, included Fresno State senior punter Blake Cusick – the Augusta Sports Council announced on Wednesday.

The 26 candidates on the list incorporate a broad spectrum elite of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) punters. The 2019 watch list was compiled based on the 2018 Ray Guy Award semifinalist list, the top ten NCAA punters from 2018, 2018 all-conference teams, 2018 All-American teams and 2019 preseason all-conference teams.

Cusick returns to the list after being one of 10 semifinalists for the 2018 Ray Guy Award. He was narrowed down to one of the nation's best from a group of 79 watch listers last November.

For the complete 2019 watch list, visit bit.ly/312V7ub.

A glance at Cusick:

2018 Ray Guy Award semifinalist.
Named an All-Mountain West second team selection in 2018.
Finished the 2018 season with an average of 42.2 yards per punt on a total of 65 attempts.
In 2018, landed 31 punts inside the 20-yard line, 11 of which were inside the 10-yard line.
In 2018, only 12 of his punts were returned by opponents – for a total of 42 yards.
Kicked a career-long 72-yard punt in the Bulldogs' 21-3 win over Nevada on Oct. 6, 2018.

About the Ray Guy Award
The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned with particular emphasis placed on net punting average. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.

The number of eligible candidates for this season will grow when the award opens nominations next week. The complete list of candidates will be released on Nov. 5. In mid-November, the Ray Guy Award committee will meet to select the ten semifinalists, who will be announced on Nov. 19. 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. 25. After the finalists are named, the voting body will cast ballots again to select the nation's top punter. The winner will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.

The following is the entire 2019 preseason watch list calendar:

Monday, July 15: Bednarik Award & Maxwell Award
Tuesday, July 16: Davey O'Brien Award
Wednesday, July 17: Doak Walker Award
Thursday, July 18: Biletnikoff Award
Friday, July 19: Mackey Award & Rimington Award
Monday, July 22: Thorpe Award & Butkus Award
Tuesday, July 23: Outland Trophy & Nagurski Award
Wednesday, July 24: Groza Award & Ray Guy Award
Thursday, July 25: Hornung Award & Wuerffel Trophy
Friday, July 26: Walter Camp Award

The 2019 season opens in Bulldog Stadium in 45 days, grab your tickets today:

Season tickets, starting as low as $99 - link
4-game mini plan (Minnesota plus 3 games) - link
3-game mini plan - link
Group ticket discounts and tailgate space - link
$79 Bulldog Pass for faculty, staff and young alumni - link
Mad Duck 10-Pack - link
Minnesota single game tickets on sale now - link

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.

Fresno State Athletics

Cusick returns to Ray Guy award watch list

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