Szmyt a Finalist for 2018 Lou Groza Award

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Syracuse kicker Andre Szmyt has been named one of the three finalists for the 2018 Lou Groza Award presented by the Orange Bowl. The names of the finalists were released today by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.

Presented annually since 1992 and named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Lou "The Toe" Groza, the award honors the nation's most outstanding placekicker. Szmyt is the first Syracuse kicker to be selected as a Groza finalist.

Joining Szmyt as finalists for this year's award are Cole Tracy of LSU and Wyoming's Cooper Rothe.

A 6-1, 195-pound redshirt freshman, Szmyt leads the FBS in field goals made (28), field goals attempted (31), field goals per game (2.55), points (135) and scoring (12.3 ppg). He is bidding to become just the second kicker in NCAA history to lead the nation in scoring. The only other one to do it was Boise State's Tyler Jones (11.8 ppg) in 2004.

Szmyt has connected on 28-of-31 field goals. His 90.3 percent success rate is third nationally among kickers with more than 12 attempts.

Szmyt is 21-for-22 from inside 40 yards and has three 50+ yard field goals, including a career-long kick of 54 yards at Pittsburgh. He has also made all 51 of his extra points.

Against Notre Dame Saturday, Szmyt hit from 28 yards out with 10 seconds to play to break the ACC single-season record for most made field goals. With 28 conversions, he is within striking distance of the FBS record of 31 field goals set by Georgia's Billy Bennett in 2003.

Szmyt, Tracy and Rothe will be honored at the 27th annual Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Awards Banquet on Monday, Dec. 3 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. They will then travel to the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. for The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec 6, where this year's winner will be announced live on ESPN.

New for 2018, fans will play a role in naming this year's award winner. Fans can visit www.lougrozaaward.com/18finalists and cast a vote for the finalist of their choice. The finalist who receives the highest number of fan votes will be given one vote on the final ballot.

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

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