Archie Wilson Earns Ray's 8 Recognition
Nebraska sophomore punter Archie Wilson was named to the Ray Guy Award's Ray's 8 list for Week 9.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
Nebraska sophomore punter Archie Wilson was named to the Ray Guy Award's Ray's 8 for Week 9, marking his second selection this season. The honor came after Nebraska's 17-10 loss to Washington, in which Wilson punted five times.
Why it matters
Ray's 8 recognizes the top eight punters from each weekend, giving Wilson's performance national visibility during a difficult stretch for the Cornhuskers. Nebraska's special teams play remains one of the team's stronger areas, even as the offense struggled against Washington.
Wilson downed four of five Washington punts inside the 20, with none returned and all five traveling at least 40 yards, including kicks of 59 and 60. He has placed 14 of 31 punts inside opponents' 20-yard lines this season and only four have been returned.
The players
Archie Wilson
Archie Wilson is a sophomore punter for the Nebraska Cornhuskers whose performance has drawn attention across the Big Ten this season.
Ray Guy Award
The Ray Guy Award is an annual honor recognizing the best punter in college football, and its Ray's 8 list spotlights the top eight punters each week.
The details
Wilson's selection recognized his punting in Nebraska's 17-10 loss to Washington, where his kicks kept Washington's return game in check. Nebraska ranks 12th nationally in net punting at 43.4 yards per kick and 17th in punt return defense.
Timeline
Saturday: Nebraska lost to Washington 17-10 with Wilson punting.
Friday: Nebraska plays at Illinois, 7 p.m. CT on FOX.
Season Trajectory
Wilson's second Ray's 8 selection this season extends a pattern of recognition from the Ray Guy Award for his punting. His consistency in pinning opponents deep helps define Nebraska's special teams identity during a season in which the Cornhuskers are still searching for offensive consistency.
Wilson's punting affects field position, which can determine how far Nebraska's offense must drive on any given possession. For fantasy and betting players tracking punters, his 45.1-yard average and 14 inside-the-20 placements this season are the figures most relevant to his output.
The takeaway
Punting rarely draws headlines, but Wilson's ability to flip field position with deep, hard-to-return kicks shapes how Nebraska's games are played. Tracking inside-the-20 placements offers a clear view of special teams value beyond the box score.
What happens next
Nebraska plays at Illinois on Friday at 7 p.m. CT on FOX.
Further reading
For more on the Cornhuskers' season, see Football coverage across Nebraska.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Huskerstoday.
