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Southeastern Louisiana University junior punter Austin Dunlap is one of 10 semifinalists for the FCS Punter of the Year Award, the Augusta Sports Council announced Monday.

Dunlap, a native of Slidell, Louisiana, will be among the candidates for the award, which will be announced Dec. 13. Joining Dunlap among those up for the award are Aaron Trusler (Richmond), Bradley Porcellato (Samford), Corey Peterson (Campbell), Jake Gerardi (Southern Utah), Patrick Haughney (Holy Cross), Patrick Rohrbach (Montana), Trey Whilhoit (Eastern Illinois), Will Whitehurst (William & Mary) and Zach Haynes (Southeast Missouri).

The Augusta Sports Council (ASC), also home to the Ray Guy Award presented to the top FBS punter, created the FCS Punter of the Year Award in 2019. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of punts downed inside the 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned with particular emphasis placed on net punting average.

Dunlap, a first team All-Southland Conference choice and two-time SLC Special Teams Player of the Week this fall, is currently 10^th in FCS with a 43.4 punting average and has helped the Lions ranks sixth nationally in net punting. Among the 10 finalists, Dunlap tops the list with 19 punts downed inside the 20. A total of 65.4 percent (34-of-52) of his punts were returned and opponents averaged 7.8 yards per return versus SLU in 2022.

Dunlap is one of 11 All-Southland Conference Lions returning for 2023. The multi-year starter has helped 2022 Southland champion SLU to three playoff appearances in the past four seasons.

 

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