UNC veteran punter Ben Kiernan received the Ray Guy Punter of the Week Award for his performance against Georgia State last weekend. Kiernan punted five times and averaged a career-high 54.2 yards on those kicks. That number includes two punts of 70 and 64 yards, the two best kicks of his career.

Kiernan is the third Tar Heel to receive an honor for his performance against the Panthers. Linebacker Cedric Gray and running back Omarion Hampton were named ACC Linebacker and Rookie of the Week on Monday.

Kiernan is in his senior season with the Tar Heels. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Kiernan started at punter from the first game of his true freshman season. Coincidentally, that was also the first year of head coach Mack Brown’s second stint with Carolina. Kiernan has started every game at punter since then. He is currently on the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, which is given to the nation’s best punter. The award has been given annually since 2000, and no Tar Heel has ever won it.

Kiernan and the Tar Heels will be back in action after the bye week on September 24, when the team hosts Notre Dame in Kenan Stadium.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Brian Westerholt

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