COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Just eight games and a mere 26 punts into his collegiate football career and Ohio State's Cameron Johnston is one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, which is awarded to the nation's best punter. The Augusta Sports Council released the names of its 10 semifinalists Friday after receiving 85 nominations from around the country.
The candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and their contribution 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.
Johnston, who arrived in the United States from Geelong, Australia, in June, has helped the Buckeyes rank second in the Big Ten in net punting average (40.0). Ohio State is also fifth nationally in opponent punt return average (1.5 yards per return) and Ohio State has allowed the fewest returns nationally – two – and the third-fewest return yards (three).
The 5-11, 190-pound freshman Johnston currently ranks second in the nation in percentage of punts downed inside the 20-yard line (61.5 percent) and he ranks third nationally in percentage of punts downed inside the 10 (26.9 percent). He has also had 15 of his 26 punts fair caught.
Pct. Punts Downed Inside the 20
1. .667 Will Johnson, Texas State (16 of 24)
2. .615 Cameron Johnston, Ohio State (16 of 26)
3. .541 Richie Leone, Houston (20 of 37)
4. .489 Michael Palardy, Tennessee (23 of 47)
5. .468 Mike Sadler, Michigan State (22 of 47)
(Source: FBS Sports Information Directors)
Pct. Punts Downed Inside the 10
1. .319 Mike Sadler, Michigan State (15 of 47)
2. .219 Will Johnson, Texas State (7 of 24)
3. .269 Cameron Johnston, Ohio State (7 of 26)
4. .268 Will Scott, Troy (11 of 41)
5. .255 Michael Palardy, Tennessee (12 of 47)
(Source: FBS Sports Information Directors)
Johnston's efforts were particularly notable in the win over Wisconsin. He punted six times and had five downed inside the 10 with a sixth downed inside the 20. The Badgers' starting field position after each of his punts was their own 10, 9, 5, 8, 16, and 10. His final punt was most impressive: a 55-yarder downed at the 10 with 1:29 left to play in a one-score ball game.
The Big Ten Conference named Johnston its special team’s player of the week for his efforts that week.
The winner of the Ray Guy Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN Dec. 12. Three finalists will be announced Nov. 25.
