Palm Beach County Sports Commission

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – 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.”

The list of greatest collegiate debuts in history added a new entry Saturday as Jonathan Garibay made all four of his attempts, the last of which crossed with no time left and lifted Texas Tech to a 24-23 victory over Baylor in Lubbock, Texas. A junior transfer from Riverside City College, the Rubidoux, Calif. native became the first Red Raider to make four in a game since 2013 and provided the program’s first game-winner since 2012. His first attempt connected from 48 yards out, followed by kicks from 28, 46 and the 25-yard strike for the win.

Illinois senior James McCourt got a chance at redemption and made the most of it, giving the Illini a 23-20 road win over Rutgers with a 47-yard field goal with just three seconds to play. After having tied the game early in the fourth quarter with a 23-yard kick, the Parkland, Fla. native twice had the chance to put his team ahead, but pushed kicks from 54 yards and 47 yards off to the right. But just as he did against unbeaten Wisconsin last season, when the clock was at its end, McCourt was at his best. Along with a make from 24 yards and two extra points, it was an 11-point performance.

Redshirt freshman Alex Raynor was the top-scoring kicker in the FBS this week with 16 points to help Georgia Southern outlast Texas State in a 40-38 Sun Belt shootout in Statesboro, Ga. on Saturday. With field goals of 41, 39, 34 and a 20 yarder that held up as the winning score, the Kennesaw, Ga. native improved to 12-for-15 on field goals this year, tied for the 7^th best percentage by kickers with at least 10 makes. He also made his four extra point tries to bring his season total to 25-for-25. His 61 points lead all Eagles 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.

National College Football Awards Association

The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker 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 and @NCFAA on Twitter 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, the Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches, and the annual Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches. For more information on the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, go to www.palmbeachsports.com.