July 12, 2017
2017 Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List
West Palm Beach, Fla.----- San Jose State University junior Bryce Crawford is one of 30 players named to the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Watch List for the 2017 season.
Crawford was superb in 2016. He converted 16-of-18 field goal tries and made his last 11 attempts. His three field goals in the season finale under wet conditions at Fresno State was the difference in a 16-14 victory. His season-long 44-yard field goal came in the October 29 win over UNLV.
Crawford's 88.9 percent field goal conversion rate was 12th best among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players and second best in San Jose State history for kickers making at least one field goal a game in a season. His 2016 percentage is fifth best among returning kickers that made at least 15 field goals last season. Crawford was the Spartans' season scoring leader with 79 points.
The Award recognizes the top kicker in the country and is named after Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Lou Groza who played 21 seasons for the Cleveland Browns. "The Toe" was a combination All-Pro offensive lineman and kicker. He was the 1954 NFL Player of the Year and symbolized there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
During the season, "Stars of the Week" will be featured on www.lougrozaaward.com. Twenty (20) semifinalists will be named on November 2. Three finalists will be announced on November 21 and honored at a December 4 banquet presented by the Orange Bowl Committee in Palm Beach County. The national winner will be presented on December 7 during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
Season tickets for the 2017 football season are available by calling (408) 924-SJTX or by visiting www.sjsuspartans.com.