Arellano named 2014 Ray Guy Award semifinalist

PROVO, Utah – BYU Senior punter Scott Arellano was named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2014 Ray Guy Award, the Augusta Sports Council announced Friday.

The semifinalists were chosen from a field of 85 candidates for the award, which recognizes the most outstanding punter in college football.

In 2014, Arellano has become one of the most versatile punters in the nation, combining his placement and long-range ability as a tactical option for BYU. Arellano owns the longest and third-longest punts in all of FBS this season (81-yard punt at Middle Tennessee and a 76-yarder at Boise State). He also had the second-highest FBS single-game average in 2014 (five or more punts) with 55.0 yards per punt, including three for 60 or more yards against Virginia.

Against Middle Tennessee, Arellano broke BYU’s record for longest punt, held by former 18-year NFL punter Lee Johnson, with his 81-yarder. He was named the Ray Guy Award Player of the Week for his performance that week.

The senior product of Santa Ynez, California, walked onto the team in 2012 and played with the scout team for a year before earning the starting job in 2013. Arellano was awarded a scholarship prior to the 2014 season.

The Ray Guy Award candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and 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.

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 award finalists, who will be announced on Nov. 24. Voters will then cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner, who will be announced Dec. 11 at the College Football Awards Show in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.