Lou Groza Award “Stars of the Week” for Week 6

Lou Groza Award “Stars of the Week” for Week 6

Oct. 8, 2024 (WEST PALM BEACH) – 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.”

Nolan Hauser became the first Clemson kicker to make five field goals in a game since 2011 as part of the Tigers’ 29-13 road win over Florida State. The true freshman from Cornelius, N.C. went 5-for-7 with the two misses coming on blocked kicks that serve as his only blemishes thus far this season. Between the five field goals and two PATs, his 17-point game marks his fourth consecutive performance with double-digit scoring. His 53 points rank 6^th among FBS kickers this season and best among Clemson players.

Tyler Loop earns his second consecutive Star of the Week distinction, this time whilst setting the program record for field goals in a game during Arizona’s 28-22 loss to Texas Tech. The senior from Lucas, Texas is the first Wildcat kicker to ever make five field goals, connecting from 52, 47, 40, 37 and 30 yards out. With eight makes in his last two games, Loop vaults into a tie for 2^nd among FBS kickers with his 12-for-15 season mark. The 16-point performance also pushed his career scoring total to 299, the fourth-most by any Arizona player in program history.

On Homecoming night in Jonesboro, Clune Van Andel’s fourth field goal made sure the Red Wolves went home happy, lifting Arkansas State to an 18-16 win over South Alabama. The sophomore from Grand Rapids, Mich. connected from 34 yards out with 10 seconds left to snag a win in the team’s Sun Belt Conference opener. He had kept Arkansas State in the game with short field goals from 25, 21 and 20 yards out to score all 9 of the team’s points through the first three quarters.

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. 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, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit 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 support 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.

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