UC P Max Fletcher named to Ray Guy Award “Ray’s 8” List for Week 1
Melbourne native averages 52.3 yards per punt, unleashes 70-yard punt, and hauls in fourth-down conversion
Per GoBearcats:
University of Cincinnati punter Max Fletcher has been named to the Ray Guy Award “Ray’s 8” list for Week 1, as announced by the Augusta Sports Council.
The weekly honor recognizes the eight top punting performances across the FBS.
Fletcher anchored the Bearcats’ special teams units during Cincinnati’s 34-15 season-opening victory over Boston College. The Melbourne, Australia native averaged 52.3 yards per punt, highlighted by a 70-yard blast that came just one yard shy of his career high (71 yards). Fletcher also pinned Boston College at its own 4-yard line late in the third quarter.
Fletcher also delivered one of the game's key momentum plays in the second quarter when wide receiver Malachi Henry completed an eight-yard pass to Fletcher on a fake punt, converting on fourth down, a drive that the Bearcats offense would later score a touchdown on. The play marked Cincinnati’s first completed pass by a non-quarterback since Braden Smith hit Dee Wiggins for 30 yards against Pitt in 2023.
Through 45 career punts at Cincinnati, Fletcher holds a 46.0-yard career average. Once he completes five additional punts to reach the 50-punt minimum requirement, he will qualify to overtake two-time All-American Kevin Huber’s school-record mark of 45.47 yards per punt (2005–08), should his average remain steady.