Smith Named Semifinalist for Lou Groza Award

Nov. 7, 2003

Chicago, Ill. - University of Louisville placekicker Nate Smith has been named among the 20 semifinalists for the 12th annual Lou Groza Award, given to the nation's top collegiate placekicker. Smith and TCU's Nick Browne represent C-USA on the list of 20 semifinalists.

Smith has connected on his nine of his last 12 field goal attempts and is 13-for-17 on the season. He has also been successful on all 35 of his extra-point attempts in 2003, giving him a total of 74 points for the year. Smith ranks 18th in the country with 1.38 field goals per game and his total of 13 is tied for the second-highest total in school history. In his career, Smith has hit 43-of-61 field goal attempts, a 70.4 percent conversion rate, which is third in U of L annals. Smith holds the Cardinal career records for field goals and extra points.

Started in 1992, the Lou Groza Award is named after Lou "The Toe" Groza, the Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame placekicker who is credited with elevating the role of placekicker to one of an offensive weapon and scoring machine. Groza, who played 21 seasons in the NFL, set NFL records for field goals and extra points in a season as a rookie and he ended his career with 10 league records and 24 Cleveland Browns marks.

Four times players from Conference USA schools have won the award. Memphis' Joe Allison was the first-ever recipient in 1992 and TCU's Michael Reeder won it in 1995. C-USA produced back-to-back winners in 2000 and 2001, when Cincinnati's Jonathan Ruffin and Tulane's Seth Marler won the award, respectively. Other winners include: Judd Davis of Florida in 1993, Arizona's Steve McLaughlin in 1994, Kansas State's Martin Gramatica in 1997, Sebastian Janikowski of Florida State in both 1998 and 1999, and Iowa's Nate Kaeding last season.

The three finalists for the 2003 award will be announced on November 17. The award, which is presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl, will be given out during a ceremony on Tuesday, December 9, at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

For more information about the Lou Groza Award, please visit www.palmbeachsports.com/Groza

2003 LOU GROZA AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Name, School, Yr.Steve Azar, Northern Illinois University, Sr.Xavier Beitia, Florida State University, Jr.Nick Browne, TCU, Sr.Trey DiCarlo, University of Oklahoma, Soph.Drew Dunning, Washington State University, Sr.Connor Hughes, University of Virginia, So.Ben Jones, Purdue University, So.Nate Kaeding, University of Iowa, Sr.Ryan Killeen, USC, Jr.Matt Leach, University of Florida, Jr.J.C. Mejia, San Diego State University, Sr.Jonathan Nichols, University of Mississippi, Jr.Nick Novak, University of Maryland, Jr.Matt Payne, Brigham Young University, Jr.Jon Peattie, University of Miami (Fla.), Fr.Dillon Pieffer, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Sr.,David Rayner, Michigan State University, Jr.Nate Smith, University of Louisville, Sr.Andrew Wellock, Eastern Michigan University, Fr.Kirk Yliniemi, Oregon State University, Sr.

University of Louisville Athletics

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