Downing named to Ray Guy Award Watch List

The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State Athletics Communications.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior punter Colin Downing has been named to the 2017 Ray Guy Award Watch List for the third season in a row, announced today by the Augusts Sports Council.

The Ray Guy Award is given annually to the nation’s best punter since its inception in 2000. The award is in honor of Guy, who is considered to be the greatest punter in college and NFL history. Guy become the first true punter ever drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft (1973) and the first punter elected to the College Football Hall of Fame (2004) and Pro Football Hall of Fame (2014).

A native of Whitefish Bay, Wis., Downing is entering his fourth season as the Cyclone punter, recording career-highs in punting average (41.1) and kicks downed inside the 20-yard line (23) in 2016.

He had eight 50-yard boots a year ago, including a career-long 67-yarder vs. Baylor.

Downing’s career 40.4 punting average ranks ninth in school history.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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