Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Keith Kountz
Kroening named semifinalist for Lou Groza Award
11/3/2016 7:00:00 AM | Football
Fresno State’s Kody Kroening is one of 20 semifinalists for the annual award that recognizes the top collegiate place-kicker
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Fresno State's Kody Kroening was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award on Thursday, announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. He is one of 20 semifinalists for the 2016 award; three finalists will be named on Nov. 22.
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Kroening, a junior from San Jose, has connected on his last 13 attempts after missing his first attempt on the road at Nebraska in the first quarter of the first drive during week one of the season. He owns a 92.9 accuracy percentage, which ranks fourth-best in the FBS.
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Kroening is one of four FBS kickers that has converted consecutive double-digit makes, and has done so by converting on six of his last eight attempts being greater than 35 yards. He has made all five attempts of 40 yards-plus this season, including a career-long 49 set on Oct. 22 at Utah State.
Of the 20 semifinalists, each place-kicker is converting better than 85 percent of their kicks with at least 10 field goals made.
Semifinalists will be narrowed down by a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers. These finalists will be announced on Nov. 22 and honored at the 25th annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on Dec. 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The winner will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 8.
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About the Award
The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland setting numerous franchise records, including most games played, most points scored, and an amazing 107 consecutive games in which he scored a point. He was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
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The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast 722 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
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Former Winners
Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 21 finalists, including 12 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning nine trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home five Super Bowls. That list includes current NFL kickers Roberto Aguayo, Dan Bailey, Randy Bullock, Mason Crosby, Graham Gano, Dustin Hopkins, Sebastian Janikowski, Mike Nugent, Cairo Santos, Caleb Sturgis, and Blair Walsh.
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"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – Mini plans and single-game tickets for the 2016 Fresno State football season are now on sale at GoBulldogs.com or by calling 559-278-3647. 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes is the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
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Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateFB
Instagram:Â Fresno_State_Football
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
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Kroening, a junior from San Jose, has connected on his last 13 attempts after missing his first attempt on the road at Nebraska in the first quarter of the first drive during week one of the season. He owns a 92.9 accuracy percentage, which ranks fourth-best in the FBS.
Â
Kroening is one of four FBS kickers that has converted consecutive double-digit makes, and has done so by converting on six of his last eight attempts being greater than 35 yards. He has made all five attempts of 40 yards-plus this season, including a career-long 49 set on Oct. 22 at Utah State.
Of the 20 semifinalists, each place-kicker is converting better than 85 percent of their kicks with at least 10 field goals made.
Semifinalists will be narrowed down by a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers. These finalists will be announced on Nov. 22 and honored at the 25th annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on Dec. 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The winner will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 8.
Â
About the Award
The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland setting numerous franchise records, including most games played, most points scored, and an amazing 107 consecutive games in which he scored a point. He was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
Â
The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast 722 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
Â
Former Winners
Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 21 finalists, including 12 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning nine trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home five Super Bowls. That list includes current NFL kickers Roberto Aguayo, Dan Bailey, Randy Bullock, Mason Crosby, Graham Gano, Dustin Hopkins, Sebastian Janikowski, Mike Nugent, Cairo Santos, Caleb Sturgis, and Blair Walsh.
Â
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – Mini plans and single-game tickets for the 2016 Fresno State football season are now on sale at GoBulldogs.com or by calling 559-278-3647. 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes is the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateFB
Instagram:Â Fresno_State_Football
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
Â
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