Kilpatrick Named Semifinalist for FCS Punter of the Year
12/4/2024 12:05:00 PM | Football
Youngstown State second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference punter Brendon Kilpatrick is one of 10 semifinalists for the FCS Punter of the Year, the August Sports Council announced on Wednesday.
Kilpatrick was one of 47 punters throughout the FCS that were nominated for the the award.
Kilpatrick had a spectacular year for the Penguins in 2024. He had 40 punts for an average of average of 46 yards per kick. He would rank in the top 10 nationally, but does not have enough attempts per game to qualify for the minimum. During the season he had 14 kicks of 50-plus yards while placing 19 inside the oppositions' 20-yard line. He boomed career longs of 65 vs. Villanova and South Dakota State. On a fourth down deep in YSU territory at Illinois State, he had a rush for eight yards and a first down late in the first half to help YSU run out that clock. He also had a standout year as the holder on placement kicks.
Additionally, the Penguins punt coverage unit leads the FCS in net punting at 43.88 entering the second weekend of the playoffs.
The candidates were evaluated by the FCS Punter of the Year Award committee on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on net punting average, number of times a punt was downed or kicked out-of-bounds inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.
A national voting body of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) sports information directors, conference representatives and sports writers will choose the winner from the 10 semifinalists. The winner will be announced on Monday, Dec. 16.
About the FCS Punter of the Year Award
The Augusta Sports Council, also home to the Ray Guy Award (awarded to the best collegiate punter in the FBS), created the FCS Punter of the Year Award in 2019 to honor the best collegiate punter playing in the FCS. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the 20-yard line, and percentage of punts not returned with particular emphasis placed on net punting average. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.
2024 FCS Punter of the Year Award Semifinalists
Aaron Trusler, Richmond
Albert Jang, Penn
Ben D'Aquila, Northern Arizona
Brendan Hall, Montana State
Brendon Kilpatrick, Youngstown State
John McConnell, Mercer
Nick Bigelow, Gardner-Webb
Oscar Doyle, Weber State
Sam Johnson, Valpo
Thomas O'Hara, Murray State
