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.”
Georgia Tech needed overtime to stay undefeated, but Aidan Birr’s third field goal of the game ensured the Yellow Jackets got the extra period to finish off a 30-29 comeback victory over Wake Forest. The junior from Kennedale, Texas came through from 33 yards at the end of regulation to tie up a game Georgia Tech had trailed 20-3 midway through the third quarter. He added makes from 35 and 19 yards to move to a perfect 10-for-10 on the season and become the first Yellow Jacket kicker to reach 40 career field goals on fewer than 50 attempts.
In a week with six game-winning field goals, none came from further out than John Love’s 49 yarder to lift Virginia Tech to a 23-21 victory over NC State. His third field goal of the game put the Hokies back on top and secured a second straight win after opening the season with three losses. The junior from Spartanburg, South Carolina opened the game’s scoring from 39 yards out and added a make from 32 yards just before the end of the first half. Despite Virginia Tech’s turbulent season, it’s another strong campaign for Love at 9-for-10 on field goals.
It may have been Homecoming, but David Olano ensured the Illini crowd went home happy with a 41-yard field goal as time expired to pull off a 34-32 win over USC. It’s the first game-winning field goal in Olano’s collegiate career. The junior from Naperville, Illinois also connected from 45 yards earlier in the second half for a 2-for-2 game, adding four PATs for his second 10-point performance of the season. He’s now 6-for-7 on field goals this season, following up on a 17-for-20 campaign in his first year as Illinois’ starting kicker.
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, and Instagram at @LouGrozaAward.
National College Football Awards Association
The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.
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.