Sophomore puts team in spotlight

The only question for Baylor University's Daniel Sepulveda is, Will his leg have an encore?

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Sepulveda on Thursday was given the Ray Guy Award for being the nation's best collegiate punter by the Greater Augusta Sports Council - as a sophomore.

He accepted the award live as a part of ESPN's College Football Awards Show in Orlando, Fla.

"I think that is a good goal, and I think it's attainable," Sepulveda said. "I still have a lot of room for improvement. I guess I'm going back to work."

There hasn't been a two-time winner of the award, which is now 5 years old, but Sepulveda will likely have two chances to become the first.

The Dallas native beat out Michigan State sophomore Brandon Fields and UCLA senior Chris Kluwe to win the award, which is named after Guy, a Thomson native whose punting prowess is recognized as the best of all time.

This season, Sepulveda placed 26 of his 62 punts inside the opposing 20-yard line.

That percentage (41.9) led the country.

Additionally this year, he hit five punts that traveled more than 60 yards, and 24 that went farther than 50 yards.

His net average of 42.5 yards per kick was second in the nation. Not bad for a sophomore.

"Honestly, I am (surprised)," Sepulveda said. "Even before the season, I didn't see this coming."

The finalists were evaluated based on overall statistics and contribution to his team with emphasis placed on net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line, average return yardage and percentage of punts not returned.

Sepulveda won by taking a majority of a combined vote from college coaches, sports information directors and sports writers.

He said the recognition that goes along with winning the award will be welcomed by his school, which is located in Waco, Texas, and receives far more credit for its academic reputation than its football prowess.

Baylor won one game in 1999, two in 2000 and three every year since. The Bears finished 3-8 this season, with one Big 12 win.

"The coaches have told me it's good to get Baylor's name out there," Sepulveda said. "They started telling me that back when I was a finalist. So I'm sure this is good."

Sepulveda will be honored at a gala, hosted by the Greater Augusta Sports Council, early next year.

 •  The area's other connection to the postseason awards show, Auburn cornerback Carlos Rogers, beat out Miami's Antrel Rolle and Ernest Shazor of Michigan for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's best defensive back.

Rogers, a senior who is a Butler High graduate, finished the year with two interceptions, one sack and 41 tackles.

'It's a feeling of excitement and honor," Rogers said. "I really did feel like this is something I deserved."

Reach Travis Haney at (706) 823-3304 or travis.haney@augustachronicle.com.