July 11, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky senior placekicker Craig McIntosh, who has made nearly 80 percent of his field goals the past two years, has been named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List, which annually honors the nation’s best placekicker, the Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sports Commission announced Wednesday.
McIntosh has been a two-year starter and consistent performer at placekicker. A hometown product of Lexington, Ky., he has a career-long field goal of 50 yards, while his best career game came last season against Mississippi State when he made three field goals. McIntosh owns the second- and third-longest consecutive field-goal streaks in school history with eight and seven, respectively. Last year, McIntosh led the team in scoring with 56 points, making 12-of-14 field goals and 21-of-22 extra points.
In 2010, McIntosh finished second on the team in scoring with 67 points, making 11-of-15 field goals and 34-of-35 extra points. During the year, McIntosh hit two career-long 50-yard field goals while also taking over kickoff duties late in the season.
Kickers on the Lou Groza Award Watch List were chosen based on statistics from the 2011 season and 2012 expectations. Ten conferences are represented among the 30 kickers, led by seven from the Big Ten. The SEC follows with six, along with four each from the ACC and the Pac-12. The Big 12, Conference USA and Sun Belt each placed two representatives, while the Big East, MAC and Mountain West each had a kicker recognized. While the watch list highlights 30 of the best returning kickers in the country, the Groza Committee will be watching all FBS kickers during the season, and releasing a weekly “Stars of the Week” feature on www.lougrozaaward.com.
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 6 during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Award Show, broadcast live from Orlando, Fla. The 21st Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl Committee, recognizes the three finalists during an early week celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on Dec. 4, prior to joining ESPN in Orlando.
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.
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