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USC punter Eddie Czaplicki named a Ray Guy Award finalist

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney11/26/24ErikTMcKinney
USC punter Eddie Czaplicki walks out to a practice with the Trojans
USC punter Eddie Czaplicki walks out to a practice with the Trojans (Erik McKinney/WeAreSC)

USC punter Eddie Czaplicki was named one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award. The Trojans’ senior punter has been phenomenal this season and USC’s most consistent performer all season.

Czaplicki is No. 1 in the nation in net punting with a 46.44-yard average and he also leads the nation in percentage of punts landed inside the 20-yard line. Of his 36 punts this season, nine have stopped inside the 10-yard line and 22 have landed inside the 20. He’s also yet to allow a touchback.

Nineteen of Czaplicki’s punts have traveled at least 50 yards and three have gone at least 60. His impact on games has been felt each week. In the rivalry game win against UCLA, Czaplicki’s perfectly-placed punt that was downed at the one-yard line eventually gave the USC offense a short field, which they turned into a go-ahead touchdown.

The three finalists for the Ray Guy Award were chosen from a field of 10 semifinalists by a national voting body consisting of FBS sports information directors, national media and previous Ray Guy Award winners.

A USC punter has never won the Ray Guy Award.

Czaplicki’s fellow finalists are Georgia punter Brett Thorson and Florida State punter Alex Mastromanno, who leads the nation in punting with a 49.06-yard average, just barely outdistancing Czaplicki at 48.75.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz