Georgia kickers in the national spotlight

By Tim Tucker

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATHENS – Drew Butler and Blair Walsh, probably the two most consistent players on an inconsistent Georgia football team, were named finalists Monday for the top national awards at their positions.

Butler was named one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award, which goes annually to the nation's top punter, and Walsh named one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award, which goes to the top placekicker.

Winners will be announced Dec. 10 at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards show, which will be held in Orlando and televised live on ESPN. As finalists, both Butler and Walsh will attend.

"That'd be awesome to go to Orlando together," Walsh said Monday. "Can't wait."

Butler's average of 48.8 yards per punt leads the nation and, if it holds up, will break the UGA single-season punting record. Georgia also leads the nation in net punting (punts minus returns/touchbacks).

The other Guy Award finalists are Florida's Chas Henry and Michigan's Zoltan Mesko.

"It's something you work for at the beginning of the season, kind of a lofty goal you set there for yourself," Butler said of the award. "And whatever happens, I'll just be happy to be mentioned with some of the guys who are there as well."

Walsh, meanwhile, has made 16 of 17 field-goal attempts this season, a 94.1-percent success rate that ranks second nationally and, if it holds up, would also break the UGA single-season record. Walsh is 4-for-4 from 50-plus yards.

The other Groza Award finalists are UCLA's Kai Forbath and Alabama's Leigh Tiffin.

"I cannot thank my snapper [Ty Frix] and holder [Butler] enough," Walsh said. "Every kick has been perfect on the mark snap- and hold-wise. It's a great place to be a Georgia kicker."

Butler and Walsh are sophomores. Butler is from Duluth and Walsh from Boca Raton, Fla.

Boykin injury update

Brandon Boykin, Georgia's top kickoff returner and a starting cornerback, says he'll be ready to play against Georgia Tech on Saturday despite a bruised hip that sidelined him during last weekend's loss to Kentucky.

He said X-rays revealed no damage beyond "a big bruise all the way down my leg."

Boykin said the injury occurred when he "got hit directly on my bone with a facemask"  during a first-quarter kickoff.  He played limited snaps on defense for the rest of the game and was held out of his return role on Kentucky's second-half kickoff, which his replacement – Branden Smith – fumbled away. After Smith's fumble, Boykin handled subsequent kickoffs.

"I'll be back" for Tech, Boykin said Monday. "I feel like it's getting better. ... And by the time Saturday comes around, I'll be able to run full-speed."

Etc.

Freshman Rantavious Wooten had a breakout game last weekend, catching the  first two touchdown passes of his collegiate career. "It felt wonderful at the time we were winning the game," Wooten said Monday. "And then ... that feeling about losing took over." ... Wooten said Georgia's team has plans on Tuesday to see the movie "The Blind Side," which depicts the story of football star Michael Oher.