Aug. 20, 2010

University of South Carolina placekicker Spencer Lanning is one of 30 candidates named to the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Award, announced today by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The Groza Award recognizes the nation’s top placekicker.

Lanning, a 5-11, 192-pound senior from Rock Hill, S.C. (York High School), was successful on 17-of-20 field goal attempts last season with a long of 47 yards, earning a spot on the 2009 Groza semifinalist list. He led the team in scoring with 79 points, the seventh-highest single-season total in school history. He tied a 19-year old school record by connecting on 5-of-5 field goals against Georgia.

Kickers on the Lou Groza Award Watch List were chosen based on statistics from the 2009 season and 2010 preseason expectations. Fifteen semi-finalists are returning from 2009. Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award announces its 20 semifinalists on Friday, October 29. From that list, a panel of over 300 experts selects the top three (3) finalists for the award by Monday, November 22. That same group then selects the national winner, which will be announced Thursday, December 9, during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Award Show.

The award is named for National Football League (NFL) 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, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.

For more information regarding the Lou Groza Placekicker Award and to follow the season progress, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com.