Utes' Sakoda is finalist for punting award

Utah sophomore Louie Sakoda is one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, which is presented each year to the nation's top collegiate punter.

Sakoda is averaging 43 yards per punt this season and has pinned 20 of his 45 kicks inside the opposition's 20-yard line. Only 14 of his punts have been returned, with opponents averaging just 2.9 yards per attempt.

Sakoda, who also handles Utah's placekicking duties, is the lone Mountain West Conference punter to make the cut from an original field of 47. The pool of candidates will eventually be narrowed to three before the winner is announced on Dec. 7.

Durant Brooks (Georgia Tech), Ryan Dougherty (East Carolina), Sean Douglas (Washington), Brandon Fields (Michigan State), Zach Johnson (Eastern Michigan), Jeremy Kapinos (Penn State), Geoff Price (Notre Dame), Daniel Sepulveda (Baylor) and Sam Swank (Wake Forest) join Sakoda as semifinalists.

Sakoda and the Utes have a bye this week but will return to action next Saturday at home against Colorado State.