Oct. 30, 2015
Augusta, Ga.----- San Jose State University's Michael Carrizosa, the national punting leader, is one of 79 candidates for the 2015 Ray Guy Award recognizing the top collegiate punter.
Carrizosa has a 49.0 yards per punt average for games through October 24. The sophomore from Salinas, Calif., took over the number-one individual position in punting average on September 13 and retained the top spot since then. He has five punts of 60 or more yards and booted his career-long of 73 yards at Air Force on September 12.
Carrizosa's punting lifted San Jose State to one of the top teams nationally in net punting. The Spartans presently lead the nation with a 43.5 yard average. Only eight of Carrizosa's first 29 punts were returned for a net of 80 yards.
The second-year punter is one of the most improved punters in the country. As a freshman, he averaged 37.1 yards per punt and had just four punts go 50 or more yards.
Ten semifinalists will be named on November 13 and three finalists announced on November 23. The 2015 Ray Guy Award will be presented during the Home Depot College Football Awards program on ESPN, Thursday, December 10.
The Ray Guy Award is named after the Pro Football Hall of Fame punter of the Oakland Raiders during the 1970's and 1980's.
San Jose State's next game is Friday, November 6, hosting Brigham Young University in a non-conference football game. Game time in Spartan Stadium is 8:30 p.m. (PT). Tickets are available by calling (408) 924-SJTX or by visiting www.sjsuspartans.com.