Palm Beach County Sports Commission

College football’s top kicking award, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl recognizes three of the top kickers each week from FBS division teams as the “Stars of the Week.”

Keith Duncan’s four field goals were the story of Iowa’s 18-17 Cy-Hawk rivalry win over Iowa State in Ames on Saturday. The Weddington, N.C. native had makes of 42, 40, 39 and 25 yards to bring his season totals to a perfect 8-for-8 on field goals which ties him for the FBS lead.  His 32 points lead the Hawkeyes in scoring.

BYU freshman Jake Oldroyd stood tall under pressure and split the uprights from 43 yards away to lift the Cougars to a 30-27 overtime upset over #24 USC in Provo, Utah on Saturday. The Southlake, Texas native also kicked field goals of 32 and 23 yards, his second straight week with three makes and also the second straight week BYU knocked off a Power 5 school by just three points. His eight field goals are tied for the FBS lead, while his 29 points are the most on the team.

Cal senior Greg Thomas kicked three field goals in a game for the first time in his career and they were crucial to the Golden Bears’ 23-17 victory over North Texas in Berkeley, Calif. on Saturday. The Petaluma, Calif. native connected from 44, 34 and 32 yards and added two PATs for an 11-point game. His 28 points lead the team in scoring, while his seven field goals are just one off the FBS lead.

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 and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. 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.

For more information on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to see the “Stars of the Week” throughout the season, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter.

The Lou Groza Award will be presented live as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, December 12. The three finalists will be honored during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with the 28th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate
Place-Kicker Award Banquet, presented by the Orange Bowl, on Monday, December 9.

National College Football Awards Association

The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit NCFAA.org to learn more about the association.

About the Palm Beach County Sports Commission

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the County as a sports and sports tourism destination. The Commission brings sporting events and activities to the County, enhances economic impact, stimulates bed tax revenues (primarily in the off-season), and maximizes utilization of County facilities. The Commission offers a full range of event service support, corporate partnerships, sponsorships and a local membership program that support its goals. Local, regional, national and international marketing efforts are ongoing by the Commission with sports organizations and event owners. The Commission also produces sports-related programs for the residents of Palm Beach County including the annual Lou Groza Award program, the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches. For more information on the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, go to www.palmbeachsports.com/.