Matt Darr named candidate for Ray Guy Award

The Augusta Sports Council has announced the nominees for the 2014 Ray Guy Award, which identifies the nation's top collegiate punter. Among the 80 candidates are 2013 finalist, Drew Kaser Texas A&M, and 2012 finalist, Kyle Christy of Florida. Candidates were nominated for the award by their school's sports information department.

The list will be narrowed to ten semifinalists to be announced on November 14. Following the semifinalists announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the top three finalists, who will be identified on November 24. The voting body will then cast ballots to select the winner. The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, December 11 at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN's Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will feature live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney's Spirit Award, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award, and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.

The Vols are on their way to Columbia to play the Gamecocks

BUTCH JONES WILL STAY AT TENNESSEE

Rare is the occasion when an employed head coach is asked about speculation that links him to an occupied post, but that's exactly what happened with Butch Jones on Tuesday. The Tennessee coach was asked to address rumors that tie him to the head coaching job at Michigan, which is 3-5 under fourth-year leader Brady Hoke. "It's not even worth discussing," Jones said of the rumors. "No validity to it. "I'm not going to waste your time or my time commenting on that." Monday, the recruiting website 247sports.com posted a look at potential candidates to replace Hoke, whose firing at season's end the site called "a foregone conclusion." Jones is a native of Michigan, having grown up in Saugatuck and coached at Central Michigan earlier in his career. In two years at Tennessee, Jones is 8-12. Before that, he coached Cincinnati to a 23-14 record over three seasons.

Vols redshirt sophomore defensive back Brian Randolph was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, becoming the first Vol to earn the honor since Eric Berry on Nov. 24, 2008.Randolph recorded the first two interceptions of his career on Saturday, picking off Western Kentucky’s Brandon Doughty twice in the end zone in the Vols’ 52-20 triumph.The Marietta Ga., native piled up 38 return yards on his picks, and added eight tackles and one pass break up from his strong safety position.Tennessee forced seven turnovers against the Hilltoppers, the team’s most since recording seven against Memphis on Nov. 10, 1984. The Vols forced turnovers on a NCAA-record four consecutive plays in the first quarter and came up with the ball on five of six plays.Led by Randolph, the Big Orange pulled in five interceptions, marking the most since achieving the same feat against Kentucky on Nov. 20, 1999. Tennessee, which is currently tied for first in the nation with nine forced turnovers, returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the win.Berry was a two-time winner of the award in 2008, earning the honor for his performances against Vanderbilt (Nov. 22) and Mississippi State (Oct. 18). Since, Tennessee has earned four SEC defensive honors, including three on the defensive line and one freshman award.The Vols (2-0) return to action this week when they travel to Autzen Stadium for the first time in program history to take on No. 2/2 Oregon (2-0) on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. 

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