Tyler Davis, Blake Gillikin named to Lou Groza, Ray Guy Award watch lists

A couple Penn State specialists were added to the watch list madness.

Senior placekicker Tyler Davis and sophomore punter Blake Gillikin were named to the Lou Groza Award and Ray Guy Award watch lists, respectively, on Wednesday morning.

A Nittany Lion has never won the Lou Groza Award or Ray Guy Award, which has been given to college football’s best placekicker and punter since 1992 and 2000, respectively.

After finishing as a semifinalist in 2016, Davis’ accuracy gives him a shot at winning the Lou Groza.

Davis, one of 30 players on the watch list, was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches in 2016 after converting 22 of 24 field goals. His .917 field goal percentage led the Big Ten and ranked eighth nationally.

His 22 field goals and 62 extra points tied the Big Ten single-season kick scoring record. Ohio State’s Sean Nuernberger also posted 128 points in 2014.

As for Gillikin, he put together a solid 2016 season, as well. The Georgia native’s 42.8 yards per punt set a new Penn State freshman punting average record, previously held by Jeremy Kapinos (41.9 in 2003).

Gillikin — selected to ESPN.com’s True Freshman All-America Team and named an All-Big Ten honorable mention pick — finished the season third in the conference and 30th nationally in punting average.

This story was originally published July 12, 2017 at 11:07 AM with the headline "Tyler Davis, Blake Gillikin named to Lou Groza, Ray Guy Award watch lists."