FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Northern Arizona senior Austin Shanks was named FCS Punt Returner of the Year by the College Football Performance Awards on Thursday.
Shanks led the nation in with 19.8-yard average on 17 punt returns in 2012. He returned two punts for touchdowns, with one going 74 yards against Fort Lewis and the other 75 yards against UNLV. The 75-yard return was the sixth longest in school history and longest since Pete Mandley’s 85-yard return against Fresno State in 1983. Shanks was also the first player in school history to have two returns of 74 yards or more in a season or a career.
The native of Pacoima, Calif., was named the National Punt Returner of the Week twice this season by the College Football Performance Awards. He also earned All-America honors from three organizations, including College Sports Madness (second team), The Sports Network (third team) and Beyond Sports Network (honorable mention).
