AUGUSTA, Ga. --- Daniel Hughes, who hasn't been called on as UNM's punter all that much this season, has certainly proved valuable when he has been. Hughes, who has helped UNM to rank third in net punting in the FBS, was added to the Ray Guy Award Watch List today.
The Ray Guy Award is voted on and given to the best punter in the nation.
Hughes is averaging 47.3 yards per punt, just 0.05 yards per game behind Corey Bojorquez's school single-season record (Bojorquez was at 47.31, Hughes is at 47.26). Hughes has had at least one 54-yard punt in six of his seven games, and he has played in one fewer game than UNM's total because UNM never punted against Nevada in a 24-22 win.
He has just one touchback on the season (which came on a 60-yard punt), and nine of his 19 punts have gone for 50 or more yards. His long on the season came in San Jose on his only punt of the game, a 64-yard boot.
Hughes is attempting to be UNM's first semifinalist for the award since 2017, when Bojorquez was honored. Corey is an eight-year NFL veteran, currently with the Cleveland Browns.