COLUMBIA — University of South Carolina punter Spencer Lanning is one of 42 players named to the 2009 Ray Guy Award Watch List, as released by the Augusta Sports Council. The list will be narrowed to ten semi-finalists that will be named on Nov. 13. The award recognizes the nation's top punter.

Following the semi-finalists announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives, and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the top three finalists, and ultimately the winner. The winner will be announced live during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing on ESPN December 10.

Lanning, a 5-11, 188-pounder from Rock Hill, S.C., is currently fourth in the SEC and 38th in the nation in punting, averaging 42.3 yards per punt. He has a long punt of 56 yards.

About the Ray Guy Award

The Greater Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia-native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Ray Guy. The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national selection committee of football writers, FBS college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners. Among the statistics used to identify the winner are total yardage punted, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, net average, 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.