11/5/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
Junior punter ranks in the top 15 in punt average
HOUSTON – Houston punter Liam Dougherty has not had to punt all that often in 2026, but when he has, he has helped flip the field for the Cougars, earning himself a spot on the Ray Guy Midseason Watch List on Thursday.
The Geelong, Australia, native has booted a career-long 74 yard punt this season and broke the programs single-game punting average record at Kansas State (min. 3 punts) by averaging 59.3 yards per punt.
Dougherty has punted 50+ yard punts in four of the seven games he has seen action and has averaged 46.9 yards per punt on the season – 13th most in the country (min. 20 punts).
The junior's 81.3 PFF punt grade ranks 11th nationally and has pinned 60% of his 20 punts punts inside the 20 – the highest percentage in the country.
Dougherty averages 4.13 seconds of hang time per punt, which is the 14th most in the country and has moved the ball around so well that only two returners have caught punts on a fair catch signal – the fewest in the country – with just eight punts returned for 63 total yards.
The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to the top punter in the FBS.
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–– UHCougars.com ––
The Geelong, Australia, native has booted a career-long 74 yard punt this season and broke the programs single-game punting average record at Kansas State (min. 3 punts) by averaging 59.3 yards per punt.
Dougherty has punted 50+ yard punts in four of the seven games he has seen action and has averaged 46.9 yards per punt on the season – 13th most in the country (min. 20 punts).
The junior's 81.3 PFF punt grade ranks 11th nationally and has pinned 60% of his 20 punts punts inside the 20 – the highest percentage in the country.
Dougherty averages 4.13 seconds of hang time per punt, which is the 14th most in the country and has moved the ball around so well that only two returners have caught punts on a fair catch signal – the fewest in the country – with just eight punts returned for 63 total yards.
The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to the top punter in the FBS.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Don't miss any of the action. Purchase single-game tickets today by clicking here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
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