Strebel named to Lou Groza Award watch list
7/12/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
Air Force senior Luke Strebel is one of 30 players named to the Watch List for the 2017 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
Strebel handled all the Air Force kicking duties last season, kickoffs, field goals and PATs. He led the conference and ranked among the national leaders in three categories. He tied for the national lead in PAT percentage (1.000), led the conference in kicker scoring (9.0) and was third overall in scoring. Strebel led the conference and ranked ninth nationally in field goals (1.69).
Strebel was perfect in 51 extra point attempts and hit 22 of 25 field goals. His 22 field goals tied for second all-time at Air Force in a single season. He set a new Mountain West record for consecutive field goals with 22 dating back to last season before missing vs. Hawaii, breaking the mark of 19 set by Chris Manfredini of TCU from 2005-06. Strebel's 22 straight was the longest streak in the nation.
Strebel is 32 of 36 for his career in field goals and has hit all 88 of his PAT tries. He is tied for first in school history in career PAT percentage at 1.000 and is one of just three to be perfect for his career. Strebel is the career leader in field goal percentage with a .889 mark.
While the Watch List highlights 30 of the best returning kickers in the country, the Groza Committee will be watching all FBS kickers during the season, and releasing a weekly "Stars of the Week" feature on www.lougrozaaward.com. All FBS kickers remain eligible to be selected as semifinalists.
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Thursday, November 2nd. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award by Tuesday, November 21st. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, December 7th during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
The 26th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl Committee, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 4th.
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.
For more information on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to see the "Stars of the Week" throughout the season, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter.
National College Football Awards Association
The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 22 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
The members of the NCFAA are unveiling their preseason watch lists over a two-week period this month. Sixteen of the association's 23 awards select a preseason watch list and the NCFAA has spearheaded a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the complete 2017 preseason watch list calendar:
Mon., July 10: Bednarik Award / Maxwell Award
Tues., July 11: Mackey Award / Rimington Trophy
Weds., July 12: Lou Groza Award / Ray Guy Award
Thurs., July 13: Bronko Nagurski Trophy / Outland Trophy
Fri., July 14: Jim Thorpe Award
Mon., July 17: Butkus Award / Paul Hornung Award
Tues., July 18: Biletnikoff Award / Wuerffel Trophy
Weds., July 19: Davey O'Brien Award
Thurs. July 20 Doak Walker Award
Thurs., July 20: Walter Camp Award
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 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.
