Punter Dalton Botts and placekicker Jake Wieclaw, both of whom excelled as first-time starters with the Hurricanes in 2011, were named to national watch lists at their respective positions on Wednesday. Botts was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List, while Wieclaw earned placement on the Lou Groza Award Watch List.
The Ray Guy Award honors the nation’s top collegiate punter, while the Lou Groza Award is presented to the nation’s top placekicker. Both accolades are coordinated by the National Football Awards Association.
Botts, who served as the Hurricanes’ punter in all 12 games last season as a junior, finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in punt average at 42.7 yards per punt. He booted a season-long 62-yarder in the season finale against Boston College and had one of his best games against then-No. 17 Ohio State with an average of 47.8 yards on four attempts. Originally from Taft, Calif., he had only three touchbacks in 48 attempts, with 11 kicks inside the 20 and 11 punts of at least 50 yards.
The Ray Guy Award was created by the Augusta Sports Council in 2000 to honor Thomson, Ga., native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. The award winner is determined by a national voting body of sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors and past Ray Guy Award winners. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team’s success. The Watch List includes 25 punters.
Wieclaw, a rising senior, converted on 11-of-14 field goals and all 29 extra point attempts in his first season as the starting placekicker to merit status as a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist in 2011. He did not miss a kick until the Hurricanes’ seventh game of the year and was named Special Teams MVP. The New Lenox, Ill., native nailed a game-winning field goal as time expired to defeat USF on the road, while successfully connecting on a season-long 43-yard boot in a victory at North Carolina. Wieclaw, who also handled kickoffs, limited opponents to an 18.6 yard kick return average for the year.
The 30 kickers on the Lou Groza Award Watch List, presented by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, were chosen based on statistics from the 2011 season and 2012 expectations. The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although he was an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
Semifinalists for both awards will be named later in the season, with the winners announced on December 6 during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Award Show live from Orlando, Florida. Click here for more information on the Ray Guy Award and here for further material on the Lou Groza Award.
Chris Freet
Associate AD for Communications & Marketing | University of Miami
If that isn't lack of institutuional control over athletics, the NCAA should throw that term out.
Posted by: j.w. | July 12, 2012 at 02:16 PM
Yup.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 12, 2012 at 02:58 PM
And they never did say what happened to the kid that Sandusky got caught in the shower with. Interesting that that's the only charge He got acquitted on.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 12, 2012 at 03:00 PM
Can the DOE shut down an athletic program?
Posted by: CaneRock | July 12, 2012 at 03:01 PM
So PSU protecting a pedophile to save their football program and legacy is not an NCAA violation? So if this was a teacher and not a coach would paterno have acted and contacted te police. I say yes cause it wouldn't have affected his football team. NCAA needs to at minimum investigate.
Posted by: The What | July 12, 2012 at 03:09 PM
Papa Cane - South Florida High School Sports Feature on 2014 WR Ermon Lane: http://ow.ly/ccuzJ I've been told Miami is #1 on his list.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 12, 2012 at 03:17 PM
Also, Rueben Foster to Auburn.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 12, 2012 at 03:18 PM
Papa Cane - Profile On 2014 WR Ermon Lane: 6'4'' and 180 lbs. Close friend of UM WR Herb Waters. Arguably the best player in the State today. Gifted.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 12, 2012 at 03:24 PM
"VA Cane, Paterno = lifelong Republican. Not to make this a political affiliation thing, as political stripe had an ancillary at best consideration to do with it IMO, this was putting football above the law plain and simple."
+5,000. You nailed it.
Posted by: LB | July 12, 2012 at 03:31 PM
If you actually get out the NCAA bylaw manual, and don't break your wrist picking it up by one hand, you can open it and find in the first three rules that ethical conduct by presidents is expressly named. If the president of the university behaves unethically in regards to their athletic department, that' a violation right there. Does a president talking to a football coach and being convinced by that talk not to turn in a pederast to the police count as unethical actions . . . only a nittany lion would say no at this point.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | July 12, 2012 at 03:37 PM
The loss of Reuben Foster to Auburn means that Nick Satan will be coming hard for Matthew THomas....Al Golden put your gloves on my man your in for a fight with a dirtbag!!!!
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | July 12, 2012 at 03:42 PM
This pic says it ALL!!!
http://pic.twitter.com/L0viXVJt
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 12, 2012 at 03:53 PM
"VA Cane, Paterno = lifelong Republican. Not to make this a political affiliation thing, as political stripe had an ancillary at best consideration to do with it IMO, this was putting football above the law plain and simple."
Word. Pure, plain and simple. OGV for the win. He even refused to meet Hillary Clinton, he was quite the ardent Republican. lulz at liberalism being to blame.
Posted by: Felipe | July 12, 2012 at 04:18 PM
Bobby Bowden just said on ESPN Radio 1450 show that Paterno's statue should be removed.
Wow... I'm surprised he said that.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 12, 2012 at 04:18 PM
Canerock: The DOE can revoke all financial aid to a school. They have never done that, though. There's always a first, and if this isn't a candidate, there's no point in having the law.
Posted by: j.w. | July 12, 2012 at 04:22 PM
"This is one chapter in a very, very big life," Jay Paterno on calls to remove Joe's statue.
So Dan Walken responds on twitter: My only problem with Jay Paterno is him saying this is a "small part" of Joe's life. Same is true of many historically disgraced figures. "Watergate was only a small part of Nixon's life." and "Double-murder was only a small part of O.J.'s life."
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 12, 2012 at 04:32 PM
Yup. Well said Ohio Cane. I must be part of that conversation on twitter or something. Someone responded to me, "The problem is that it *was* a small part of his life, so small he didn't even care about those kids. At all."
+1
Posted by: Felipe | July 12, 2012 at 04:33 PM
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | July 12, 2012 at 02:29 PM
+10
Posted by: CGNC | July 12, 2012 at 04:36 PM
Jay Paterno needs to STFU and find a place for that statue that's about to come down.
j.w. - LOL those clowns lied and then lied about the lies. Makes me wonder what other stuff was "handled" by that crew. You know there was more, had to be.
Posted by: CGNC | July 12, 2012 at 04:40 PM
O_C, once the Paterno family comes out with a statement of apology for the fraud in the big chair diverting gay child rape allegations twice in three years away from the authorities then they should have a talk about keeping the statue if they so desire (why would you? It's going to have to be put behind a Maginot Line of defense to keep the Pinocchio noses being put on the face of the thing for all eternity by those who want to keep the focus on where it should be in regards to his legacy) but until somebody says that they're sorry for what was done, then I doubt they really are and he shouldn't be memorialized as a leader.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | July 12, 2012 at 04:47 PM
OGV, completely agree. It needs removed, and IMO, will be. The only way it won't be vandalized is if it's surrounded by a cage of PSU memorabilia.
I also agree completely with the analogy Dan Walken gave relating it to Nixon and Watergate.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 12, 2012 at 04:54 PM
j.w. - LOL those clowns lied and then lied about the lies. Makes me wonder what other stuff was "handled" by that crew. You know there was more, had to be.
Posted by: CGNC | July 12, 2012 at 04:40 PM
I was thinking that as well, CGNC. So true, these guys got away with whatever they wanted for years.
Posted by: j.w. | July 12, 2012 at 04:57 PM
"Bobby Bowden just said on ESPN Radio 1450 show that Paterno's statue should be removed.
Wow... I'm surprised he said that."
He has to. He's still a public figure, regardless. I just hope he believes it, despite his former collegiate affiliation.
Even if the NCAA doesn't have jurisdiction, they need to address it in some fashion. It sends a message to other schools and sets precedent.
And I DARE anyone to try to compare this to UM's investigation. DARE them.
Posted by: LB | July 12, 2012 at 05:52 PM
Quay Bain names UM his leader according 2 canesport. 1/3 of my killer B's!
Posted by: 4-Real | July 12, 2012 at 06:04 PM
"And I DARE anyone to try to compare this to UM's investigation. DARE them.
Posted by: LB | July 12, 2012 at 05:52 PM"
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/19570830/let-freehs-damning-report-ring-king-football-needs-to-answer-for-sins
Mr. Clean at CBS takes your dare and raises you an OSU.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | July 12, 2012 at 06:18 PM
Vernon Hargreaves leader right now is USC.
Posted by: SlingBlade | July 12, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Sling...check your email while I LOL!
Posted by: 86Cane | July 12, 2012 at 07:12 PM
Back in the CC after three days on the road.
Posted by: 86Cane | July 12, 2012 at 07:13 PM
Sling...can't find your email. U know what to do.
Posted by: 86Cane | July 12, 2012 at 07:19 PM
Looks like Joe was an enabler to pedophelia. A man complicit in Sandusky's crimes
Apparently Joe was involved in the 2001 decision not to report Sandusky to child-welfare authorities.
As a result, another 7 children were raped in the interim.
It's not just time to remove his name from the campus library but remove Joe's statue. Melt it down and use it to make sewer pipe better yet, have a fundraiser, let people to pay 5 bucks a shot to flatten it with a sledgehammer and give the money to the victims ... then melt it down and use it to make ....
Posted by: Old Skool | July 12, 2012 at 07:20 PM
There's mass murder. How about mass rape?
How many constitutes 'mass' and within what time frame?
If Louis Freeh's report is accurate, Joe's complicit in at least 7 rapes over 10 years.
Posted by: Old Skool | July 12, 2012 at 07:33 PM
From Wikepedia ...
Crimes against humanity, as defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Explanatory Memorandum, "are particularly odious offenses in that they constitute a serious attack on human dignity or grave humiliation or a degradation of one or more human beings. They are not isolated or sporadic events, but are part either of a government policy or of a wide practice of atrocities tolerated or condoned by a government or a de facto authority (A university president and a football coach?)
Murder; extermination; torture; rape; political, racial, or religious persecution and other inhumane acts reach the threshold of crimes against humanity only if they are part of a widespread or systematic practice.
Is 45 times widespread?
Crime against humanity may be a little extreme, but it's not out of the question.
Posted by: Old Skool | July 12, 2012 at 07:46 PM
F*@k Penn St!! Enuff about Crimetime ( PSU ) now back 2 Primetime!! ( the U )
Posted by: 4-Real | July 12, 2012 at 08:09 PM
Sling...can't find your email. U know what to do.
Posted by: 86Cane | July 12, 2012 at 07:19 PM
texted you my email...
Posted by: SlingBlade | July 12, 2012 at 08:22 PM
I've said this before, but since it appears that Penn State deliberately allowed this to tanspire to protect the football program, the football program should go.
- The Big 10 should eject Penn State from football.
- The school shut down the football program, forever.
- The current athletes should have their tuitions paid, be allowed to transfer, and be given a financial settlement by the school for their trouble.
- The stadium at Happy Valley should be razed.
Posted by: TonyCane | July 12, 2012 at 08:25 PM
I don't think you all are overreacting at all. It's about time someone got emotional for victims rather than a football team.
Posted by: LB | July 12, 2012 at 08:40 PM
I'm still pissed at the political nonsense brought up earlier. The notion that liberalism entails such a radical 'cultural' relativism as to ignore crimes as "just someone's thing" is high comedy. Liberalism is about recognizing and reconciling individual rights (see: Bill of Rights) with the interests of society. Liberals might find criminalizing certain petty drugs as a clear violation of what's in the best interest of both society and the individual, but the idea that child rape, which is what this is, falls under that to those who don't understand the history of American liberalism, speaks to the misunderstanding in itself.
If you really don't know what you're talking about when characterizing "the other side," then why open your mouth and insert foot at all? It wasn't even political, my god.
Hope Penn State is removed from the B1G and goes the way of Texas State.
Posted by: Felipe | July 12, 2012 at 09:55 PM
Ive heard a couple media members on the radio say the death penalty is in order for PSU. Anyone keeping up with ESPN, etc to see if they are calling for the death penalty. If a booster throwing parties disgusted the media what does a pedophile allowed to rape boys for some 10 after first revealed. Now that the criminal has concluded its time for the NCAA to step in and cancel their PSUs upcoming season.
Can you imagine the football team running out on the field and playing with all the sick things that were allowed simply for that same football team to continue winning.
Death penalty to PSU football.
Posted by: The What | July 12, 2012 at 10:28 PM
If the NCAA doesnt kill the PSU football program for protecting a child molester for the sake of the football program then the NCAA is a bigger joke than everyone already knows it is. This was all about football in terms of hiding it. Kill the program as a lesson to all universities and college football programs in the country that people's lives and specifically children's lives will not be forsaken for the sake of football.
Posted by: The What | July 12, 2012 at 10:28 AM
If that isn't lack of institutuional control over athletics, the NCAA should throw that term out.
Posted by: j.w. | July 12, 2012 at 02:16 PM
Best posts of this month so far.
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | July 12, 2012 at 10:49 PM
First game of NCAA 13 and Tracy Howard gets 2 INT's with 1 TD!!
HEISMAN!!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 12, 2012 at 11:49 PM
PSU should kill it's own program.
I remember when I was at Miami back in the 90s, I heard that there was a certain fraternity at FSU who had a member that committed a rape on the front lawn of the frat house, while no one did anything. That fraternity was banned from FSU. Not just for a year, or 10 years. Or 100 years. Forever.
That should be the model here. PSU should permanently end its program, and if they don't then the Pennsylvania legislature should step in and force it to happen.
And if they refuse, every team on their schedule should refuse to play them.
Posted by: TonyCane | July 12, 2012 at 11:49 PM
I have one problem with this game so far... When U start out in recruiting, one of the pitches are "Pro Potential". Miami has a B grade? Gimme a friggin break. EA Sports blew that one...
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 13, 2012 at 12:06 AM
Ps - Sling's post about best roster is right so far. "mtemple93" is it. Except u have to create Tracy Howard. He missed that one. Some numbers are wrong, but everything else looks good
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 13, 2012 at 12:08 AM
I'll tell ya' what, PSU players are gonna catch hell on the field this season. My buddy's son plays on a certain team on their schedule, and you'd be shocked at some of the trash talk their preparing to unleash on PSU players.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 13, 2012 at 12:09 AM
I have one problem with this game so far... When U start out in recruiting, one of the pitches are "Pro Potential". Miami has a B grade? Gimme a friggin break. EA Sports blew that one...
I guess the last 20 years of NFLU were simply a mirage?
Posted by: LB | July 13, 2012 at 07:27 AM
I'll tell ya' what, PSU players are gonna catch hell on the field this season. My buddy's son plays on a certain team on their schedule, and you'd be shocked at some of the trash talk their preparing to unleash on PSU players.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 13, 2012 at 12:09 AM
*****************************************
The kids on the current roster had nothing to do with what happened and taking it out on them is wrong...of course this is the nature of the beast.
Posted by: raizecane | July 13, 2012 at 08:33 AM
The statue of Joe Pa needs to come down. To protect a vile human being who preyed on vulnerable children from single parent, economically challenged families, makes me want to throw up. I don't think the NCAA has the balls to step in and sanction PSU, however the football program will start to look like Temple of the 80's because kids are not going to go there and talk about negative recruiting tatics. Every coach in America will be in kids livingrooms asking them do you want to play for a school that protects pedophiles? Also think about the financial hit that is coming as a result of lawsuits and the fact that the money generated by the football program funds damn near every other sport at the school. Happy Valley is no longer happy!
Posted by: canesteeler | July 13, 2012 at 09:02 AM
Rb/Db Chris Carson to decide between Miami & Auburn this Sunday, Supposedly!
Posted by: herbieibis | July 13, 2012 at 09:08 AM
When you sacrifice innocent children to protect a football program from bad publicity, there must be atonement. I don't think cutting checks will redeem the crime or the sin.
Posted by: Old Skool | July 13, 2012 at 09:14 AM
I guess the last 20 years of NFLU were simply a mirage?
Posted by: LB | July 13, 2012 at 07:27 AM
--------------------------------------
Exactly. I about fell outta my chair when I saw a B grade. Not even a B+??
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 13, 2012 at 09:15 AM
Old Skool nothing can redeem what thet allowed to happened.
Posted by: canesteeler | July 13, 2012 at 09:38 AM
Ohio,
Is the NCAA 13 better than last year? And didn't we have at least a A for pro potential last year?
Posted by: Willie Will in Nashville | July 13, 2012 at 09:54 AM