DALLAS – UTSA sophomore Lucas Dean has been named the Ray Guy National Punter of the Week for his performance against UAB, the Augusta Sports Council announced Tuesday.
Dean averaged 45.0 yards on six punts in the 21-13 setback to the Blazers on Saturday at Legion Field. Five of his kicks were downed inside the UAB 20-yard line, including a 55-yarder that pinned the Blazers at their 1, and the sixth punt settled at the 21. A native of Dunsborough, Australia, he also had a 52-yard punt that was downed at the 5 and a 50-yarder that resulted in a fair catch at the 12. In fact, the Blazers did not log a return on any of his six punts.
For the season, Dean ranks second in Conference USA and eighth in the FBS with a 46.5 punting average. Of his 24 punts, 14 have pinned opponents inside their 20, nine have sailed 50-plus yards and six have ended in a fair catch. He had a career-long 57-yard punt that was downed at the 3 in the season-opening win over Texas State and he matched that length with one that pinned Middle Tennessee at the 9 in the 37-35 triumph over the Blue Raiders.
Dean is the second C-USA player to be named the Ray Guy National Punter of the Week this season. WKU’s John Haggerty was honored on Sept. 15.
About the Ray Guy Award
The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native, Southern Miss alum 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.
