Fresno State Athletics
Goessling Named Semi-Finalist for Groza Award
11/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 9, 2009
FRESNO, Calif.- - Kevin Goessling's outstanding sophomore season keeps getting better. After kicking a season-best 52 yard field goal, the Bulldog kicker learned that he is one of 20 semi-finalists for the Lou Groza Award, an award that is presented to the nation's best kicker.
"Kevin Goessling is doing a great job," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "Here is a kid who has great determination and character. Nothing fazes the guy."
Goessling is following the footsteps of former Bulldog kicker Clint Stitser who was also a semi-finalist. Goessling is one of only four kickers on the list of 20-semi-finalists who have connected on two or more field goals of 50 yards or longer.
He has made his last 11 attempts, which ties a school record for consective field goals made. The 52-yarder last week at Idaho was the second longest of his career, second only to his school record 58-yarder he hit at Utah State. He has made 18 of his last 20 attempts.
Also on the list of semi-finalists are Leigh Tiffin of Alabama and Kai Forbath of UCLA. Tiffin is the only 2008 semi-finalist to make the final 20 this season.
Tiffin and UCLA junior Kai Forbath were tied for the national lead in field goals made with twenty each. The only candidate among the final twenty who has yet to miss a kick, field goal or PAT, is Craig Ratanamorn, a senior from Marshall University. He's been successful on 11 of 11 field goal tries and all 22 of his extra point attempts.
The honor for the longest field goal among the semi-finalists belongs to University of Florida sophomore Caleb Sturgis who connected from 56 yards against Georgia this year. Also included on the list is Georgia's Blair Walsh who is a perfect 3 for 3 on attempts of 50 yards or longer.
Semi-finalists will be voted on by all Division 1 Head Coaches and SID's, along with national, regional and local football writers and others who will select the three (3) finalists. These finalists will be honored at the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on December 8 in West Palm Beach, FL. The winner will be announced live on the nationally televised Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on the evening of December 10, 2009.
The award is named in honor of one of the all-time great kickers in football history, Lou Groza. Groza played 21 seasons for the Cleveland Browns setting numerous franchise records, including most games played, most points scored, and an amazing 107 consecutive games in which he scored a point. The 1,608 career points he scored is still a Browns' franchise record, and he ranks third all-time in league. Groza was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
Past Groza finalists include current NFL kickers, Nate Kaeding, Sebastian Janikowski, Mike Nugent, Martin Gramatica, Jason Elam and Mason Crosby.
For more information regarding the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to follow the season progress, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Kris Pursell, Event Manager at the Palm Beach County Sports Commission at (561) 233-3124 or kpursell@palmbeachsports.com.
"We are Your Team" The Fresno State football team returns to Bulldog Stadium on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. when it hosts Louisiana Tech on Senior Day. For ticket information click on the tickets link at the top of the page.
