Even though Bobby Cowan has the second-most punts, punting yards and third-best punting average in the nation, it was not good enough to be named a finalist for the Ray Guy award.
University of Idaho punter Bobby Cowan, who has been at or near the top of every major punting statistical category this season, was not one of three finalists for the Ray Guy award announced Nov. 21 at the ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn. The award is given out annually to the best punter in the nation, and this year’s finalists are all currently behind Cowan in major categories.
The WAC is still represented in the finals by Ryan Allen from La. Tech. The other two finalists are Steven Clark from Auburn and Jackson Rice from Oregon. Allen leads the other two finalists in total number of punts, total punting yardage, punting average per game, longest punt of the season, punts inside the 20, punts inside the 10 and 50-plus-yard punts.
Cowan was one of four Vandals placed on award watch lists during the season. Kicker Trey Farquhar and wide receiver Mike Scott’s award finalist announcements were made on the same day as Cowan’s, with all three players missing the final cut. The only UI player still on an award watch list is wide receiver Justin Veltung, who is on the Paul Hornung award watch list for the most versatile player in the nation. The finalists for that award will be announced in early December.
All four Vandals who were nominated for awards are currently juniors and will return next year.