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.” This week all three Stars kicked game-winning field goals.

Harrison Mevis kicked the longest field goal in SEC history, connecting from 61 yards as time expired to lift Missouri to a 30-27 upset of Kansas State. The second-longest kick in program history also gave the senior from Warsaw, Ind. 66 career field goals, tied for the most ever by a Mizzou kicker. 11 of those field goals have come from over 50 yards, nearly double the next closest active kickers. Mevis also connected from 30 and 25 yards out, part of a 12-point game.

Jose Pizano’s 36-yard field goal gave UNLV its first-ever home win over an SEC opponent, topping Vanderbilt 40-37. The senior from Lehi, Utah also made kicks from 34, 31, and 27 yards out on a 4-for-5 day. In his first three games as a Rebel, the transfer from Missouri State is now 7-for-8, tied for third-most field goals in FBS so far. Pizano added four extra points for a 16-point game that ties the program record for the most points by a kicker.

Noah Rauschenberg’s winner came from 31 yards out on the road to give North Texas its first victory of the season, 40-37 over Louisiana Tech. The senior from Tulsa, Okla. also made three first-half field goals, from 48, 25, and 22 yards out. The 4-for-4 day was the first such performance by a Mean Green kicker since 2019. Rauschenberg now sits at 6-for-6 on field goals this season, tied for second-most by a kicker yet to miss. 

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 the Lou Groza Award on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and Threads at @LouGrozaAward.

National College Football Awards Association

The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.

For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit the redesigned NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.

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 supports 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.