TicketsOct. 31, 2008
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati sophomore kicker Jake Rogers (Warsaw, Ind./Warsaw) was named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2008 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced Friday.
Rogers is 9-for-9 on field goals this year and has made a field goal in six-straight games. He had a career-best three field goals made at UConn on Oct. 25, including a season-long of 54 yards. He has two kicks over 50 yards this season and has three of the longest seven kicks in BIG EAST history. Rogers has also kicked off 43 times with seven touchbacks and while holding opponents to an average starting field position of their own 22-yard line.
Along with Rogers, Josh Arauco (Arkansas State), Jason Bondzio (University of Arizona), Matt Bosher (University of Miami), Ross Evans (TCU), Graham Gano (Florida State University), Sam Glusman (Troy), Ryan Harrison (Air Force), Matt Harmon (Navy), Kevin Kelly (Penn State), Dustin Keys (Virginia Tech), Jose Martinez (UTEP), Pat McAfee (West Virginia), Jonathan Phillips (University of Florida), Louis Sakoda (Utah), Patrick Shadle (Syracuse), Joshua Shene (Ole Miss), Leigh Tiffin (Alabama), Phillip Welch (Wisconsin), Jeff Wolfert (Missouri) were named to the list.
The 20 semifinalists will be voted on by a panel consisting of all Division 1 coaches and SID's, along with national, regional and local football writers and others who will select the three (3) finalists. These finalists will be invited to the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet December 7-9 in West Palm Beach, FL. The winner will be announced live on the nationally televised Home Deport ESPNU College Football Awards Program on the evening of December 11, 2008.
The award is named in honor of one of the all-time great kickers in Football history, Lou Groza. Groza played 21 seasons for the Cleveland Browns setting numerous franchise records, including most games played, most points scored, and an amazing 107 consecutive games in which he scored a point. The 1,608 career points he scored is still a Browns' franchise record, and he ranks third all-time in league. Groza was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.