Oct. 25, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri redshirt junior Christian Brinser (Liberty, Mo.), has been named to the watch list for the 2013 Ray Guy Award, as announced on Friday by the Augusta Sports Council. In his first season as the full-time punter for Mizzou, Brinser has shined on the Tigers' special teams unit. While he has been limited to punting duties this season due to a prolific Tigers offense, Brinser has taken advantage of his opportunities.
With his 27 punts so far this season, Brinser has averaged 41.7 yards per attempt, ranking eighth in the SEC and 52nd nationally in punting average. Brinser booted a then-career-long 57-yard punt at Indiana on Sept. 21, as well as dropping two inside the 20-yard line.
His personal career long didn't last for long however, as he tallied a 59-yard punt the next week at home against Arkansas State (Sept. 28). In perhaps his finest effort of the 2013 season, Brinser landed three of his seven punts (38.4 avg.) inside the 20 in the 41-26 win at then No. 7 Georgia (Oct. 12).
Brinser is among 85 punters named to the Ray Guy Award watch list, which will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists on Nov. 8. 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, who will be identified on November 25. The voting body will then cast ballots to select the winner.
The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN's Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will feature live presentations of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney's Spirit Award, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award, and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-American Team.
Brinser and the Tigers return to action on Saturday, Oct. 26 vs. South Carolina. Kickoff for the South Carolina game is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2. The South Carolina game will mark the 102nd Homecoming at Mizzou, with festivities taking place all weekend long in Columbia.