Pack The House
 
Ryan Allen to Find Out Ray Guy Award Results on ESPN Thursday Night

Watch the College Football Awards Show at 8 p.m. CT on Dec. 8 on ESPN


 

  

Dec. 6, 2011

RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech's Ryan Allen will find out on national television Thursday night if he has won the 2011 Ray Guy Award, given annually to the nation's top punter.  

Allen is one of three finalists for the award along with Auburn's Stephen Clark and Oregon's Jackson Rice. The winner will be announced on the Home Depot College Football Awards Show televised on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. CT.

The Salem, Ore. native finished the 2011 regular season ranked first in the nation in punts inside the 20 (37) and punts inside the 10 (20) and ranked third with a punting average of 46.31 yards per game.

"It has been a very special season and just to be a part of this event is an honor," Allen said of Thursday's events. "I am thankful for all of the support from my family, coaches and teammates. Win or lose, I am proud of the season our team has had; one that the Louisiana Tech family will remember for years to come. I am just one small part of our team and my focus is to just get better and hopefully win a bowl game."

A redshirt junior, Allen has only had 26 of his 78 punts to be returned with 11 of those returned for one, zero or negative yards.

"I've never been around a punter that can impact a game the way he can," head coach Sonny Dykes said of Allen.

Four of his punts this season rank in the top 10 in school history including a 72-yard punt at Mississippi State on Sept. 24 which ranks fourth in the school's record books.

Allen's ability to flip the field and pin opponents deep in their own territory has been a key to his success this season. Only five of Allen's 78 punts have rolled into the end zone for a touchback.

Louisiana Tech and Allen are preparing to face No. 15 TCU in the 2011 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 21 in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium.


 

 

The 2011 Poinsettia Bowl will be televised on ESPN and will be the only bowl game taking place on Dec. 21. Joe Tessitore (play-by-play) will call the action along with Lou Holtz (analyst), Mark May (analyst) and Samantha Steele (sidelines). In addition, ESPN Radio will carry the game nationally with Bill Rosinksi (play-by-play) calling the action along with David Norrie (analyst) and Joe Schad (analyst).

Tickets for the Poinsettia Bowl are on sale now through the LA Tech Ticket Office and range from $35 - $55. To purchase tickets, please call (318) 257-3631, email techtickets@latech.edu or visit LATechSports.com.

For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, follow @LATechPWalsh on Twitter or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.