Fresno State Athletics
Goessling for Groza
10/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 29, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - The Palm Beach County Sports Commission has released its 20 semi-finalists for the 2010 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Discover Orange Bowl. These twenty place-kickers have all excelled throughout the season in earning their places as semifinalists. Fresno State junior Kevin Goessling made the list for the second consecutive year.
Goessling was selected first-team All-WAC and honorable mention All-America last season in which he made 15-of-16 field goals attempts. He was named the WAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against San Jose State in which he was 4-for-4 in field goal attempts in Fresno State's 33-18 win. He had two field goals over 40 yards including a long of 44. Goessling was also 3-for-3 on extra point attempts to run his consecutive streak to 116, 12 shy of the all-time WAC record.
While this year's list of semifinalists includes seven kickers who earned the honor last season, including 2009 Lou Groza Award winner Kai Forbath of UCLA and finalist Blair Walsh of Georgia, perhaps the most impressive showing is by a newcomer. Oklahoma State senior Dan Bailey is perfect on all 56 of his attempts this season.
Semifinalists will be voted on by all Division 1 Head Coaches and SIDs, 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 7 in West Palm Beach, Fla. The winner will be announced live on the nationally televised Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on the evening of December 9, 2010.
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, Jason Elam, Mason Crosby and Graham Gano. For more information regarding the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to follow the season progress, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com.
"We Are Your Team!" Fresno State returns to action against WAC foe Louisiana Tech on on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m. PT. Follow the game on WAC Sports Net, KMJ Radio and ESPN Deportes. The next home game for the Bulldogs is Nov. 13 vs. Nevada. Tickets for that game are available by clicking the tickets icon at the top of this page.
