Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Dixon Named Semifinalist for Ray Guy Award
11/13/2015 10:18:00 AM | Football
Orange senior one of 10 still in the running for nation's top punting award
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Syracuse senior punter Riley Dixon has been named one of the 10 semifinalists for the 2015 Ray Guy Award, the Augusta Sports Council announced on Friday, Nov. 13. The Ray Guy Award annually recognizes the nation's top collegiate punter.
The semifinalists were chosen from a field of 79 candidates. The candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and contributions to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on the punter's net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned.
Dixon has a net punting average of 42.1 yards per punt and 13 punts of 50 yards or more. Twenty-one of his 45 punts this year have been downed inside the 20 with only three touchbacks. In addition, opponents have only nine punt returns for 84 yards against Syracuse this season. Take away a 69-yard return by LSU's Tre'Davious White and Orange opponents have managed just 15 yards on their other eight punt returns.
Dixon's best performance of the season came against Central Michigan on Sept. 19. Dixon punted five times with a net average of 50.4 yards per kick against the Chippewas. Three of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line and none of the five were returned. He was named the Ray Guy Award Player of the Week for the effort.
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 finalists, who will be announced on Nov. 24. 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 Show" live Thursday, Dec. 10 on ESPN.
Dixon and the Orange host No. 1 Clemson on 'Stars and Stripes Day,' presented by Time Warner Cable and the Air National Guard Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Carrier Dome. Tickets are available online, by phone (1-888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). In addition, discounted group tickets (20 or more) can be purchased by calling 315-443-3212.
2015 Ray Guy Award Semifinalists
Michael Carrizosa, So., San Jose State
Riley Dixon, Sr., Syracuse
Tom Hackett, Sr., Utah
Hayden Hunt, Jr., Colorado State
Cameron Johnston, Jr., Ohio State
Drew Kaser, Sr., Texas A&M
Alex Kinal, Sr., Wake Forest
Nick Porebski, So., Oregon State
Austin Seibert, Fr., Oklahoma
Johnny Townsend, So., Florida
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange& Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
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The semifinalists were chosen from a field of 79 candidates. The candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and contributions to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on the punter's net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned.
Dixon has a net punting average of 42.1 yards per punt and 13 punts of 50 yards or more. Twenty-one of his 45 punts this year have been downed inside the 20 with only three touchbacks. In addition, opponents have only nine punt returns for 84 yards against Syracuse this season. Take away a 69-yard return by LSU's Tre'Davious White and Orange opponents have managed just 15 yards on their other eight punt returns.
Dixon's best performance of the season came against Central Michigan on Sept. 19. Dixon punted five times with a net average of 50.4 yards per kick against the Chippewas. Three of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line and none of the five were returned. He was named the Ray Guy Award Player of the Week for the effort.
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 finalists, who will be announced on Nov. 24. 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 Show" live Thursday, Dec. 10 on ESPN.
Dixon and the Orange host No. 1 Clemson on 'Stars and Stripes Day,' presented by Time Warner Cable and the Air National Guard Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Carrier Dome. Tickets are available online, by phone (1-888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). In addition, discounted group tickets (20 or more) can be purchased by calling 315-443-3212.
2015 Ray Guy Award Semifinalists
Michael Carrizosa, So., San Jose State
Riley Dixon, Sr., Syracuse
Tom Hackett, Sr., Utah
Hayden Hunt, Jr., Colorado State
Cameron Johnston, Jr., Ohio State
Drew Kaser, Sr., Texas A&M
Alex Kinal, Sr., Wake Forest
Nick Porebski, So., Oregon State
Austin Seibert, Fr., Oklahoma
Johnny Townsend, So., Florida
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange& Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.
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