Tech release:
LA Tech’s Barnes Named Lou Groza Award Semifinalist
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 3, 2016) – Louisiana Tech kicker Jonathan Barnes has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2016 Lou Groza National Collegiate Place-Kicker Award for the second consecutive season, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced Thursday. The annual award, which is presented by the Orange Bowl, goes to the top kicker in college football.
After being named a semifinalist in 2015, Barnes continues to shine as a junior for the Bulldogs, having connected on 15 of 17 field goals this season for an 88.2 make percentage, which ranks 16th in the nation entering Week 10 of the campaign. Barnes is currently ranked third in the nation with 94 total points scored in 2016.
The junior kicker has made 13 straight field goals for the Bulldogs this season, which is tied for the second-longest streak in the nation among active kickers. Barnes is currently ranked second in Louisiana Tech history with 148 extra points made, while he is also ranked fifth in school history with 49 field goals made in his career with the Bulldogs.
Barnes’ career percentage on field goals made (81.6 pct.) and extra points made (97.3 pct.) currently ranks first in Louisiana Tech history.
The 20 Lou Groza Award semifinalists will be presented to a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers to select the three finalists. These finalists will be announced Nov. 22 and honored at the 25th annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet Dec. 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The winner will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show Thursday, Dec. 8.
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 setting numerous franchise records, including most games played, most points scored, and an amazing 107 consecutive games in which he scored a point. He was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. 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.
Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 21 finalists, including 12 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning nine trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home five Super Bowls. That list includes current NFL kickers Roberto Aguayo, Dan Bailey, Randy Bullock, Mason Crosby, Graham Gano, Dustin Hopkins, Sebastian Janikowski, Mike Nugent, Cairo Santos, Caleb Sturgis, and Blair Walsh.
The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast 722 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, please follow Louisiana Tech on social media at @LATechFB (Twitter), /LATechFootball (Facebook) and @LATechFB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.
2016 LOU GROZA AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Matt Anderson, California, Jr.
Jonathan Barnes, Louisiana Tech, R-Jr.
John Baron II, San Diego State, So.
Daniel Carlson, Auburn, Jr.
Emmit Carpenter, Minnesota, So.
Tyler Davis, Penn State, Sr.
Tyler Durbin, Ohio State, Sr.
Jake Elliott, Memphis, Sr.
Zane Gonzalez, Arizona State, Sr.
Ben Grogan, Oklahoma State, Sr.
Greg Huegel, Clemson, So.
Ryan Kay, Troy, Sr.
Younghoe Koo, Georgia Southern, Sr.
Kody Kroening, Fresno State, Jr.
Andy Phillips, Utah, Sr.
Austin Rehkow, Idaho, Sr.
Parker Shaunfield, Southern Miss, So.
Joey Slye, Virginia Tech, Jr.
Luke Strebel, Air Force, Jr.
Gary Wunderlich, Ole Miss, Jr.
LA Tech’s Barnes Named Lou Groza Award Semifinalist
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 3, 2016) – Louisiana Tech kicker Jonathan Barnes has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2016 Lou Groza National Collegiate Place-Kicker Award for the second consecutive season, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced Thursday. The annual award, which is presented by the Orange Bowl, goes to the top kicker in college football.
After being named a semifinalist in 2015, Barnes continues to shine as a junior for the Bulldogs, having connected on 15 of 17 field goals this season for an 88.2 make percentage, which ranks 16th in the nation entering Week 10 of the campaign. Barnes is currently ranked third in the nation with 94 total points scored in 2016.
The junior kicker has made 13 straight field goals for the Bulldogs this season, which is tied for the second-longest streak in the nation among active kickers. Barnes is currently ranked second in Louisiana Tech history with 148 extra points made, while he is also ranked fifth in school history with 49 field goals made in his career with the Bulldogs.
Barnes’ career percentage on field goals made (81.6 pct.) and extra points made (97.3 pct.) currently ranks first in Louisiana Tech history.
The 20 Lou Groza Award semifinalists will be presented to a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers to select the three finalists. These finalists will be announced Nov. 22 and honored at the 25th annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet Dec. 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The winner will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show Thursday, Dec. 8.
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 setting numerous franchise records, including most games played, most points scored, and an amazing 107 consecutive games in which he scored a point. He was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. 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.
Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 21 finalists, including 12 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning nine trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home five Super Bowls. That list includes current NFL kickers Roberto Aguayo, Dan Bailey, Randy Bullock, Mason Crosby, Graham Gano, Dustin Hopkins, Sebastian Janikowski, Mike Nugent, Cairo Santos, Caleb Sturgis, and Blair Walsh.
The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast 722 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, please follow Louisiana Tech on social media at @LATechFB (Twitter), /LATechFootball (Facebook) and @LATechFB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.
2016 LOU GROZA AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Matt Anderson, California, Jr.
Jonathan Barnes, Louisiana Tech, R-Jr.
John Baron II, San Diego State, So.
Daniel Carlson, Auburn, Jr.
Emmit Carpenter, Minnesota, So.
Tyler Davis, Penn State, Sr.
Tyler Durbin, Ohio State, Sr.
Jake Elliott, Memphis, Sr.
Zane Gonzalez, Arizona State, Sr.
Ben Grogan, Oklahoma State, Sr.
Greg Huegel, Clemson, So.
Ryan Kay, Troy, Sr.
Younghoe Koo, Georgia Southern, Sr.
Kody Kroening, Fresno State, Jr.
Andy Phillips, Utah, Sr.
Austin Rehkow, Idaho, Sr.
Parker Shaunfield, Southern Miss, So.
Joey Slye, Virginia Tech, Jr.
Luke Strebel, Air Force, Jr.
Gary Wunderlich, Ole Miss, Jr.
