AUGUSTA, Ga. --- Daniel Hughes, Lobo punter who was added to the Ray Guy Watch List just three weeks ago, has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, presented by the Augusta Sports Council.
Hughes is the third Lobo punter to be named a semifinalist, and he is attempting to become UNM's first finalist for the award. Corey Bojorquez, who is the punter for the Cleveland Browns, was named a semifinalist in 2017, and Tyson Dyer was named a semifinalist in 2019.
For the season, Hughes has only punted 24 times, but he is averaging 46.2 yards per punt. His lone touchback came off a 60-yard punt, and 10 of his 24 punts have been downed inside the 20, including seven inside the 10 and three inside the 5-yard line.
His 51-yard punt to the 1-yard line against Utah State set up a safety on the next play, and his 36-yard punt with under a minute to go to the UNLV 2-yard line effectively iced UNM's win. Eight of his 24 punts have been for 50 or more yards, and his season-long of 64 yards came at San Jose State when UNM was backed up and Hughes punted out of the back of his own end zone.
New Mexico is fourth nationally in net punting at 44.3, which would be a school record. Hughes' average would be the second-best in school history.
Brett Thorson, Georgia
Daniel Hughes, New Mexico
Dante Atton, Temple
Evan Crenshaw, Troy
Jackson Ross, Tennessee
James Rendell, Notre Dame
Luke Freer, Air Force
Nick Haberer, Vanderbilt
Palmer Williams, Baylor
Tyler Perkins, Iowa State