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.”

Freshman Gabe Brkic’s 4-for-4 performance was a highlight of Oklahoma’s stunning 48-41 loss to Kansas State in Big 12 action in Manhattan, Kan. on Saturday. The Chardon, Ohio native made field goals of 50, 44, 39 and 25 yards. He also appeared to make a successful onside kick to give the Sooners one more shot, but the recovery was overturned on review. Brkic, the first Sooner to kick four field goals in a game since 2011, has not missed in 10 attempts this season. He added three extra points and is a perfect 27-for-27 on PATs.

Matt Mercurio earned his second Star of The Week nod by kicking four field goals in San Jose State’s 34-29 defeat of Army on the road in West Point, N.Y. on Saturday. The freshman from Salinas, Calif. connected from 38, 30, 28 and 23 yards, the second time this season he has made four field goals in a game. Mercurio has made each of his last 10 field goal tries to bring his season total to 13-for-16. He made two PATs to bring his season total to 63 points, leading all Spartan scorers.

Senior Justin Rohrwasser kicked a career-long 53-yard field goal as time expired to give Marshall a 26-23 Conference USA victory over Western Kentucky in Huntington, W.Va. on Saturday. He also had makes of 46, 43 and 31 yards out, with the 46 yarder having been the longest of his career up until the game-winner. The 53-yard kick is the fourth-longest in school history and the longest since 2002. The Clifton Park, N.Y. native is a perfect 11-for-11 on field goals this season. He made two conversions for a 14-point game and his 56 points lead all Thundering Herd players in scoring.

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/.