Nebraska Punter Archie Wilson Named to Ray Guy Award Ray's 8

Archie Wilson nearly broke a Nebraska record on Saturday. On Monday he got national recognition for it.

The sophomore punter was named to the Ray Guy Award Ray’s 8 for Week 6 after averaging 57.3 yards per punt in the 20 to 17 loss to No. 7 Indiana.

A career day with the leg

Wilson put together one of the best performances of his career against the Hoosiers. He hit the two longest punts of his career in the same game. First came a 60 yarder in the second quarter. Then in the fourth quarter he boomed a career best 68 yarder.

That 57.3 average fell just short of the Nebraska single game school record. Dan Hadenfelt holds it at 57.6 yards per punt, set at Colorado in 1999.

A weapon all season

This was not a one week thing. Wilson is averaging 44.6 yards per punt on 17 kicks this season. Seven of those 17 have landed inside the opponent’s 20 yard line.

His work has the Huskers ranked 20th nationally in net punting at 43.0 yards per kick. In a season where field position has decided close games, that matters every Saturday.

Next up

Nebraska hits the road to face No. 25 Oregon on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. CT on FOX, and the game will be carried on the Huskers Radio Network.

A loud road stadium and a late kickoff are exactly where a punter who flips the field earns his keep.

Husker Nation, Saturday in Eugene tells us whether Wilson’s leg can help turn a close game into a Nebraska win.