In the midst of a head coaching search, the Bearcats have continued to receive award recognition as sophomore All-AAC punter Mason Fletcher was named a finalist for the Ray Guy Award.
Following a record-breaking campaign, Fletcher is expected to earn several accolades during award season. The Ray Guy Award is presented to the nation’s best punter every December.
The other finalists include a fellow Melbourne native and Rutgers senior punter Adam Korsak alongside Michigan State sixth-year punter Bryce Baringer, who was named Big Ten punter of the year.
Fletcher ranks fourth in the country with 46.7 yards per punt and recorded 14 punts of 50+ yards this season. In a total of 55 attempts, Fletcher placed 28 punts inside the 20-yard line with only two touchbacks.
@MasonFletcher19 kicked the longest punt in conference and #Bearcats history with an 84-yard punt a week ago! The Australian native averaged 65 yards per kick on three attempts, which also set a new AAC record.https://t.co/dnJwwf2cIXpic.twitter.com/Smn1roh2tQ
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) October 26, 2022
Cincinnati Football: Bearcats punter Mason Fletcher named Ray Guy Award finalist
During a win over SMU in October, Fletcher set conference and school records with an 84-yard punt while compiling three punts of 50+ yards. It was the highest average from any punter in a game this year.
After the historic performance, Fletcher picked up AAC Special Teams Player of the Week and Ray Guy National Punter of the Week with an average of 65 yards per punt against the Mustangs.
@MasonFletcher19 picked up AAC Special Teams Player of the Week following his stellar performance including a career-best 67-yard punt in the #Bearcats 38-17 win over in-state rival Miami on Saturday.https://t.co/EFanXoDytY pic.twitter.com/987EmvL5z6
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) September 20, 2022
Fletcher could be the first Ray Guy Award winner in program history and is the third Cincinnati punter to be nominated after Kevin Huber did so in 2008 followed by James Smith in 2018.
The winner will be announced during the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 8 at 7:00 PM on ESPN. Bearcats linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was nominated for the Bednarik Award as well.