Szmyt Named Groza Award Semifinalist

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Syracuse kicker Andre Szmyt is one of the 20 semifinalists for the 2018 Lou Groza Award presented by the Orange Bowl. The list of semifinalists was released by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission on Thursday, Nov. 1.

Named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Lou "The Toe" Groza, the award is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding placekicker.

Szmyt's selection marks the third time in the last five years the Orange has had a Groza Award semifinalist. Former Orange kicker Cole Murphy was semifinalist for the award in both 2014 and 2017.

A 6-1, 195-pound redshirt freshman, Szmyt is one of three first-year players in this year's semifinalist contingent. He's joined by Coastal Carolina freshman Massimo Biscardi and Florida freshman Evan McPherson.

Szmyt leads the FBS in scoring (103 points) and he's tied with fellow Groza semifinalist Cole Tracy of LSU for the national lead with 21 made field goals. Szmyt has connected on 21-of-23 (.913) field goals. He is perfect (14-14) from inside 40 yards and has three 50+ yard field goals, including a career-long kick of 54 yards at Pittsburgh. Szmyt has also made all 40 of his extra points.

Through eight games, Szmyt already holds the Orange single-season records for field goals made and points by kicking. His seven field goals of 40 yards or longer is tied for third nationally.

A panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers will select the three finalists for the award. The finalists will be announced on Nov. 20 and honored at the 27th annual Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Awards Banquet on Dec. 3 in Palm Beach County. The same panel will vote again to determine the winner, who will be announced live on ESPN at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show Thursday, Dec 6.

Utah senior Matt Gay, who is a semifinalist again this season, was last year's winner.

For more information on the Lou Groza Award, visit www.lougrozaaward.com.

For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).

Syracuse University Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Cole Murphy

Andre Szmyt

Related Videos