Lou Groza Award “Stars of the Week” for Week 7

Lou Groza Award “Stars of the Week” for Week 7

Oct. 20, 2026 (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.”

Cooper DiLeva’s career-long 53-yard field goal lifted San Diego State to a 26-23 win over Fresno State to secure the rivalry’s Old Oil Can trophy. The game-winner was the fourth field goal of the game for the senior from San Pedro, California, having already connected from 40, 32, and 30 yards out. The four field goals tied the program record for makes in a game and marked the first four-FG performance by an Aztec kicker since 2023. DiLeva is now 8-for-9 on field goals in his first season at the FBS level.

For the second consecutive week, the No. 1 team in the country fell on a field goal as time expired, this time off the foot of Auburn’s Alex McPherson as the Tigers knocked off Georgia, 27-24. The 34-yarder was the Tigers’ first walk-off winner in regulation since the 2011 BCS National Championship. It’s just the second time in program history that Auburn beat the nation’s top-ranked team on the road. The senior from Fort Payne, Alabama, had earlier given the Tigers their first lead of the game with a 49-yard field goal late in the first half.

Cooper Ranvier accounted for all of Tennessee’s scoring for the first 40 minutes of an eventual 26-10 win over No. 6 Alabama. The junior from Lexington, Kentucky, kicked four field goals in the first half, connecting from 41, 34, 33, and 29 yards out to set up the Vols for a big second half. It’s the first four-FG performance by a Volunteer kicker since 2024 and the second in Ranvier’s career. At 10-for-11 on the year, he’s tied for the sixth best field goal percentage by an FBS kicker with more than 10 attempts.

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 nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. This season, 12 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 and Instagram @TheNCFAA.

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.