Szmyt – The 2018 Winner – Returns to Groza Award Watch List
The 2018 winner of the Lou Groza Award is back on the watch list heading into his redshirt-senior campaign.
Andre Szmyt, who won the award as a redshirt-freshman and is the most accurate kicker in program history, is represented on this year’s preseason Lou Groza Award watch list. The award is annually given to the nation’s top kicker.
Szmyt looks to become the second kicker in history to win the award multiple times, joining Sebastian Janikowski, who won in 1998 and 1999. Szmyt is one of two former winners (along with Jake Moody in 2021) and five former finalists to be on this year’s watch list.
His 65 career field goals are third among active kickers, but with a career accuracy rate of 82.3-percent that is better than anyone in the country with more than 40 makes. The two-time All-ACC selection is already the Orange’s all-time scoring leader and is tied for 124th in FBS history in points with a season to go.
Szmyt’s inclusion on the list marks the sixth watch list that a ‘Cuse player has been added to thus far in July. Star running back Sean Tucker has made the Maxwell and Doak Walker Award watch lists, defensive captain Mikel Jones made the cut for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy and Butkus Award watch lists, plus Aaron Bolinsky was tabbed as a nominee for the AFCA Good Works Team.
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Thursday, November 3. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, November 22. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, December 8 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 31st Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet at the West Palm Beach Marriott on December 5.
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.
Szmyt and the Orange open up the season on Sept. 3 in the JMA Wireless Dome. Tickets for the Orange’s much-anticipated home schedule are now on sale! Season tickets – which start at just $99 – are the best value for ‘Cuse fans. Visit Cuse.com/Tickets or call 888-DOME-TIX to be part of the action. Group tickets and partial plans are also on sale, visit Cuse.com/Groups or Cuse.com/Tickets for more information.
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