Texas Tech University Athletics
Garcia named semifinalist for Lou Groza Award
November 19, 2024 | Football
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Texas Tech senior Gino Garcia was named a semifinalist for the 2024 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced on Tuesday. Garcia was one of 20 kickers recognized by the organization for the award that annually recognizes the nation's top place-kicker.
Garcia has been the standard for consistency this season as the senior kicker ranks tied for fourth in the FBS for field goal percentage among those with at least 10 attempts. Garcia is 15-of-16 on field goal attempts this season, which is on pace to rank among the all-time best percentages in school history. His only miss thus far this season was a 53-yard attempt, into the wind, in the waning second of the first half last time out versus Colorado. The miss snapped a streak of 16 consecutive made field goals, dating back to 2023, that broke the previous school record of 13 for consecutive made field goals.
Garcia is a perfect 14-of-14 this season on his field goals that are 49 yards or fewer, including a 3-of-3 mark on attempts between 40 and 49 yards. He is 1-of-2 this season on attempts 50 yards or greater with a long of 53 yards.
The semifinalists list includes all seven FBS kickers connecting at a 90 percent or better rate on at least 15 attempts: Kentucky senior Alex Raynor (15-for-15), UAB sophomore Jonah Delange (19-for-20), Woodring (16-for-17), South Alabama junior Laith Marjan (15-for-16), Louisiana senior Kenneth Almendares (22-for-24), Michigan State graduate Jonathan Kim (18-for-20), as well as Texas Tech's Garcia (15-for-16).
Semifinalists will be voted on by a panel of FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers to select three finalists.
These finalists will be announced on Nov. 26 and honored at the 33rd annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet on Dec. 9 in Palm Beach County. The same panel then selects the winner, who will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 12.
About the Lou Groza Award
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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Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 32 finalists, including 17 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning 13 trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home 7 Super Bowls. That list includes 2024 NFL kickers Daniel Carlson Jake Elliott, Ka'imi Fairbairn, Graham Gano, Matt Gay, Zane Gonzalez, Dustin Hopkins, Joshua Karty, Younghoe Koo, Jake Moody, Will Reichard and Cairo Santos.
For more information regarding the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, please visit LouGrozaAward.com, or follow @LouGrozaAward on X for updates as they happen.
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. 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 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.
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Garcia has been the standard for consistency this season as the senior kicker ranks tied for fourth in the FBS for field goal percentage among those with at least 10 attempts. Garcia is 15-of-16 on field goal attempts this season, which is on pace to rank among the all-time best percentages in school history. His only miss thus far this season was a 53-yard attempt, into the wind, in the waning second of the first half last time out versus Colorado. The miss snapped a streak of 16 consecutive made field goals, dating back to 2023, that broke the previous school record of 13 for consecutive made field goals.
Garcia is a perfect 14-of-14 this season on his field goals that are 49 yards or fewer, including a 3-of-3 mark on attempts between 40 and 49 yards. He is 1-of-2 this season on attempts 50 yards or greater with a long of 53 yards.
The semifinalists list includes all seven FBS kickers connecting at a 90 percent or better rate on at least 15 attempts: Kentucky senior Alex Raynor (15-for-15), UAB sophomore Jonah Delange (19-for-20), Woodring (16-for-17), South Alabama junior Laith Marjan (15-for-16), Louisiana senior Kenneth Almendares (22-for-24), Michigan State graduate Jonathan Kim (18-for-20), as well as Texas Tech's Garcia (15-for-16).
Semifinalists will be voted on by a panel of FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers to select three finalists.
These finalists will be announced on Nov. 26 and honored at the 33rd annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet on Dec. 9 in Palm Beach County. The same panel then selects the winner, who will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 12.
About the Lou Groza Award
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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Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 32 finalists, including 17 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning 13 trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home 7 Super Bowls. That list includes 2024 NFL kickers Daniel Carlson Jake Elliott, Ka'imi Fairbairn, Graham Gano, Matt Gay, Zane Gonzalez, Dustin Hopkins, Joshua Karty, Younghoe Koo, Jake Moody, Will Reichard and Cairo Santos.
For more information regarding the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, please visit LouGrozaAward.com, or follow @LouGrozaAward on X for updates as they happen.
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. 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 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.
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Players Mentioned
K
/ FootballAJ Holmes Jr. Media Availability
Tuesday, October 21
Reggie Virgil Media Availability
Tuesday, October 21
John Curry Media Availability
Tuesday, October 21
Kenny Perry Media Availability
Tuesday, October 21