Finegan Named a Semifinalist for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year

BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo junior punter Evan Finegan has been named a semifinalist for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year, it was announced on Monday. Finegan is one of 14 semifinalists as selected by CoSIDA, the Associated Press, the Fiesta Bowl Organization and the editors of Touchdown Illustrated.

In just the second game of the 2019 season, Finegan broke his tibia and fibula when a Penn State defender's body connected with his punting leg. He underwent a four-hour surgery at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College in which surgeons placed a rod the length of his tibia against the bone. After months of rehab, Finegan was able to punt and practice fully during UB's spring practices and regain his starting job this season. He is averaging 38.8 yards on 16 punts this season.

"Our goal is to help fans better appreciate the roads these student-athletes have traveled," says Doug Vance, executive director of CoSIDA. "We hope these stories of achievement can inspire other people to meet the challenges in their own lives."

Since 2018, a panel of writers, editors and sports information directors from CoSIDA, AP and Touchdown Illustrated have recognized college football student-athletes each season from all divisions of college football for overcoming injury or illness, by sharing their remarkable comeback stories.

The three winners will be selected by a vote of Associated Press college football writers and announced on January 2, 2021 in conjunction with the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl.

For a complete list of past honorees, visit www.Comeback-Player.com.

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Finegan Named a Semifinalist for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year

Players Mentioned

Evan Finegan