Friends, Colleagues Square Off

The punting game is not usually something that gets a ton of attention when prognosticatrs begin to break down match-ups for games across the country but this week should be a little different as fat as the game that is set for Saturday night at Robertson Stadium.

As the Houston Cougars square off with the visiting Louisiana Tech Bulldogs two of the nations top collegiate punters will square off to once again see who can get the upper hand. The Bulldog's Ryan Allen and the Cougar's Richie Leone are both listed on the 2012 Ray Guy Award watch list. The award which is handed out annually to the nations top punter was won last year by Allen and both he and Leone are both strong candidates for the award this season.

The two punters knowledge of one another goes much further than just colleagues of the same craft though, the two developed a friendship off the field as well last summer while spending the off season training and working camps with Mike McCabe who is the coach for both punting standouts. McCabe runs the One on One Kicking Camps.

In catching up with Leone during game week this week he made it clear he was gunning to out do the player across the field rom him but only as a healthy rivalry with his friend.

The power of the Rivals network also lent it's hand this week as Bleed Tech Blue publisher Jonathan Ford caught up with Allen this week to get his thoughts Leone as well.

Regardless of the outcome their will surely be some good natured ribbing between the two after the game and during the season as they compete for the nations top honor for punters.

Saturday's game at Robertson Stadium is set for a 7:00 PM kick-off time.