The Specialist
December 10, 2008 10:10 AM | General
December 10, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - On Thursday evening, West Virginia punter Pat McAfee has a chance to be the first player in the Big East to earn the prestigious Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding punter by the Greater Augusta Sports Council.
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| Pat McAfee is one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award presented to college football's top punter.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks photo |
The Plum, Pa., resident will sit among family and friends at the 2008 Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards (ESPN, 7:30-9:30 ET) taking place at the Atlantic Dance Hall in the Walt Disney World Resort. He is among three finalists for the honor, sharing the spotlight with Utah’s Louie Sakoda and Oklahoma State’s Matt Fodge.
Although McAfee was recruited as a place kicker in 2005, the WVU career scoring leader has made a name for himself by routinely pinning opponents inside the 20 with his booming, high-arching punts.
Prior to WVU’s 13-7 regular season-ending victory against USF last Saturday, McAfee was asked how much the award had been weighing on his mind.
“I’ve obviously thought about it,” McAfee admitted. “I bought a suit yesterday and got the earlobes loosened up for the earrings. But I’m more worried about the game. If I have a bad game, the award isn’t even going to happen.”
Arguably the nation’s best punter, McAfee’s case for the Ray Guy Award was made even stronger after battling the snowy and windy conditions to excel once again in the special teams game. In his first attempt at the Mountaineer five-yard line McAfee sailed a 69-yard punt despite USF’s Jamar Taylor gunning down on him fast and consequently drawing a 15-yard penalty for roughing the kicker.
McAfee managed to send another punt 55 yards that was returned for nine yards to the USF 24 late in the second quarter. Pinning the Bulls deep in their end of the field proved vital, as quarterback Matt Grothe and company steamrolled into WVU territory until Sidney Glover picked off a pass in the end zone.
Although he didn’t start pulling double-duty as a punter and place kicker until his sophomore season, McAfee will end his career as arguably WVU’s best all-around special teams player. In 2006, he averaged 43.2 yards per punt on 18 attempts, including an eye-popping 75 yard blast against Rutgers in what was another cold evening at Mountaineer Field.
He reached the 70-yard barrier again during his junior campaign in 2007, punting a 71-yarder at Cincinnati. He averaged 41.1 yards per punt, amassing 1,728 yards on 42 attempts.
But the Ray Guy Award finalist certainly saved his best for last. He averages a career-best 44.7 yards per punt, leading the kicker-friendly Big East with 23 punts inside the 20 yard-line. The senior also boasts 19 punts that travelled 50 or more yards.
Asked whether it feels even more gratifying to be up for the nation’s best punter award because of his duties as a place kicker, the preseason all-Big East punter takes it all in stride.
“Me and Louie Sakoda do both (kick and punt),” McAfee said. “I don’t think it’s a big deal. It’s something anybody can do.”
Although unwilling to admit that pulling off both roles is a challenging task, McAfee’s work performing both has been tremendous. Already among the nation’s best in punting average (he ranks eighth in the country), the comical Big East Academic All-Star has made 16 of 19 field goal attempts this season, topping out with a Mountaineer Field record of 52 yards in WVU’s season-opening victory against Villanova.
A Lou Groza Semifinalist for the nation’s best kicker in 2007, McAfee now has the chance to redeem himself and take home some precious hardware as a Ray Guy Award finalist. Having been nominated for both awards during his illustrious four-year career is an achievement in itself.
Furthermore, McAfee’s special teams success as a place kicker and punter can make him a more viable option for the NFL. His versatility and proven history in both aspects show how valuable his right leg can be to any team.
“Who knows, hopefully,” McAfee said when asked about his NFL prospects. “I don’t know. I will never have a normal job; that I can tell you right now. I’m definitely at the crossroads of my life here in a little bit. The NFL uses more of a standard punt so that will help me a lot.”
Life as a Mountaineer has happened fast for McAfee. From being recruited out of Plum High to being the special teams savior at WVU, the two-time Scott Shirley Award winner believes his four years in the Old Gold and Blue have made him realize how fast time travels.
“It’s just a series of moments that have happened that stand out right now,” McAfee said, not being able to pinpoint his most memorable moment. “I think later in life I will be able to see some things, but right now it’s just a big blur. I’ve said that before but it’s really the truth. Everything has just been kind of spur of the moment.”
If McAfee becomes the first Big East punter to garner the Ray Guy Award in its soon-to-be nine-year history, it is safe to assume that the down-to-earth Mountaineer will hope for time to go much slower so he can enjoy the moment with his friends and family.
“I’m bringing my two parents, Coach Stew and Drew Singleton, who has been my equipment manager and ball boy since my freshman year,” McAfee said.
And what he will take with him most as he sits with his company on Thursday evening is the joy he carries in his four seasons at WVU. With one game left against North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, McAfee hopes the Mountaineers can go out on top and send him off properly as he follows his future endeavors.
But no matter what, whether he wins the Ray Guy Award or if the Mountaineer emerge victorious in their final game, McAfee will always take one thing with him -- that college football should not be a matter of life and death.
“I think the biggest thing people have to remember is it is still a game,” McAfee said. “It doesn’t become a business until the next level, and it’s a business for the coaches. People put too much pressure on themselves in their early years, yet in the end it’s just a game.”
