PROVO -- The Greater Augusta Sports Council today announced BYU punter Matt Payne has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the fifth-annual Ray Guy Award. Payne was selected from a list of 41 initial candidates based upon his overall statistics and contribution to his team. The award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate punter.
"Matt is an outstanding player," BYU Head Coach Gary Crowton said. "He has been an excellent punter, kicker and leader for this football team. He handles pressure very well and is someone we can always count on. Matt is very deserving of being recognized as one of the top punters in the country."
One of only seven players in the country who handles punting, field goals, point-after attempts and kickoffs, Payne ranks among the nation's leaders averaging 45.2 yard per punt. He ranks third nationally in net punting, averaging nearly 40.7 yards per punt.
Payne, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound senior has been credited with 19 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, including 11 punts downed inside the 10-yard line. In the Cougars' season opening victory over Notre Dame, Payne was credited with four punts that were downed inside the 10-yard line.
"His punting continually aids BYU in winning the field position battle," Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson said recently. " If you don't account for him, he will drop your punt returner like a bad habit."
Payne, known around the Mountain West as "The King of Payne", has also been credited with seven tackles on special teams coverage, including two bone jarring hits against Boise State.
"He's an outstanding kicker and very good athlete," Colorado State Head Coach Sonny Lubick said. "It caught my eye watching film that he doesn't sit back after a punt. He's downfield making the tackle a lot of the time. He is a real weapon as a punter and kicker."
A four-time winner of the Mountain West Conference Special Team Player-of-the-Week award this season, Payne is not only accurate when playing for field position, he also has the ability to punt for long distances. Payne has tallied 17 punts this season of over 50 yards, including a season-high 79-yard boot against top-ranked USC. Against the Trojans, Payne posted a season-high, single-game average 48.2 yards per punt. Four of his eight punts against USC went for over 50 yards. His 79-yard punt against the Trojans ranked second all-time at BYU and was the nation's longest punt of the season.
"Matt Payne had a productive, busy day against us," USC Head Coach Pete Carroll said. "He had a couple long ones. Plus, he hit a long field goal for the game's first points. He does a nice job."
Payne, who holds 14 MWC records, also helped BYU secure victory over Air Force on Oct. 23. Facing a fourth-and-three at the Falcons' 45-yard line, Payne took off for a 20-yard gain, giving the Cougars a first down. Five plays later, the Cougars scored the game clinching touchdown.
A national voting body of Division I-A coaches and sports information directors, media, and former punters will decide the three award finalists and the winner. The 2004 Ray Guy Award recipient will be announced on Thursday, December 9, 2004 on the Home Depot College Football Awards Show, televised live on ESPN. The winner will again be honored at the Greater Augusta Sports Awards Gala in Augusta, Georgia in early 2005.
RAY GUY AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Dustin Colquitt, Tennessee, Senior
Gary Cook, UNLV, Senior
Brandon Fields, Michigan State, Sophomore
Bo Freelend, Alabama, Senior
Chris Kluwe, UCLA, Senior
Tom Malone, Southern California, Junior
Matt Payne, Brigham Young, Senior
Adam Podlesh, Maryland, Sophomore
Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor, Sophomore
Steve Weatherford, Illinois, Junior