2019 Top 3 Finalists

Lou Groza National Collegiate Place-Kicker Award

Announces 2019 Top 3 Finalists

As of 11:59 PM EST on 12/5/19 Rodrigo Blankenship had the most Fan Votes and will be given one extra vote on the final ballot count. Poll has ended.

Lou Groza Award Announces Final Three

WEST PALM BEACH— The national panel of college football experts assembled by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission has selected the three finalists for the 28th Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award. Rodrigo Blankenship of Georgia, Keith Duncan of Iowa, and Blake Mazza of Washington State will vie for the honor.

Blankenship, a senior from Marietta, Georgia, became the Bulldogs’ all-time career scoring leader thanks to a 23-for-26 campaign that ties for second in FBS for made field goals. Three of those makes came from 50 yards out, tying him for the national lead for most field goals from long distance. His 88.5% conversion rate is the best among kickers with at least 20 attempts and at least one kick from 50 yards. He has never missed a PAT in 190 career attempts, including 36 this year that help lift his season scoring total to 105, tied for 2nd in the country.

Duncan, a junior from Weddington, North Carolina, leads the nation with 27 made field goals, four more than the next closest kicker and a new Big Ten single-season record. A full dozen of those kicks have come from at least 40 yards out, the most in the nation. Not only has he made a field goal in each game this season, he’s made 4 field goals in a game on three different occasions, each vital to close Iowa wins. With one more of those 4-FG performances, he would tie the all-time FBS record for field goals in a single season.

Mazza, a sophomore from Plano, Texas, had made all 18 of his field goal attempts until a miss this past week snapped the longest consecutive field goal streak in Washington State history. Still, at 18-for-19, his 94.7% accuracy rate is easily the best by any FBS kicker with multiple field goals from over 50 yards. It also will almost certainly finish as the most accurate season in school history. He has made multiple field goals in seven games this year and converted at least 5 PATs in five games, helping to a season scoring total of 105, tied for 2nd in the country.

This year, fans can have their part in naming the winner of the Lou Groza Award. Fans can visit www.lougrozaaward.com and cast a vote for their favorite of the three finalists selected by the national panel of voters. The finalist who receives the greatest total of fan votes will be given one vote on the final ballot. One vote can make a difference in the final outcome so fans are encouraged to participate.

The three finalists will be honored at the 28th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet, presented by the Orange Bowl, on Monday, December 9th at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. For more information on the Lou Groza Award and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, visit www.palmbeachsports.com.

This year’s Lou Groza Award winner will be revealed on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show airing live from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 12th at 7 p.m. ET.

The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. The NCFAA encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about our story.

About 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 support 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

For more information regarding the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, please visit LouGrozaAward.com, or follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter for updates as they happen. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Ariana Dominguez at (561) 233-3096 or adominguez@palmbeachsports.com.

As of 11:59 PM EST on 12/5/19 Rodrigo Blankenship had the most Fan Votes and will be given one extra vote on the final ballot count. Poll has ended.

VOTING NOW CLOSED. Thank you to everyone who participated this year!

The finalist who receives the greatest total of fan votes will be given one vote on the final ballot. Votes will only count if recieved by 11:59 PM December 5, 2019.