Utah Utes football: U. kicker Sakoda a semifinalist for national award

DALLAS — Who's your Draddy Trophy winner?

It could be Utah kicker Louie Sakoda.

The All-American punter/kicker from Utah has been named as a semifinalist for the National Scholar-Athlete Awards and 2008 Draddy Trophy, given by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame. Sakoda, a business major, has a 3.728 cumulative GPA.

It is one of a growing list of honors for Sakoda, who has started all four years at punter and three years at kicker for the Utes. He was named to the watch list for both the Ray Guy (punting) and Lou Groza (kicking) awards, is a candidate for the Lowe's Senior Class Award, was a Lou Groza 'Star of the Week' on Sept. 1 for his performance against Michigan, and has been named the Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season.

Sakoda, a two-time MWC Special Teams Player of the Year, Ray Guy finalist and Lou Groza semifinalist, won first-team All-American honors as both a punter (FWAA, CBSSports) and kicker (Rivals.com) as a junior last year. He currently ranks among the national leaders in punting average (45.1) and field goal percentage (10-of-12, 83.3 percent).

The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 29. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2008 National Scholar-Athlete Class.