Duke Freshman Kicker Ross Martin Semi Finalist for Groza Award

Ross Marin, copyright BDN Photo, Mark Watson

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke freshman Ross Martin has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2012 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl Committee, announced on Monday by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.

A native of Solon, Ohio, Martin has totaled 83 points through 10 games this season, making 16-of-18 field goal attempts and all 35 of his PATs. In the ACC, he ranks seventh overall in scoring (8.3 points per game), third in field goals per game (1.60) and second in field goal percentage (.889).

Martin leads all freshman kickers nationally in total points with 83, marking the fifth-highest single-season total in school history. He has already set Duke freshman records for points in a game (15 vs. North Carolina), field goals in a game (4 vs. North Carolina), field goals in a season (16) and points in a season (83).

Martin is joined on the semifinalist list by Brett Baer (Louisiana), Casey Barth (North Carolina), Chris Boswell (Rice), Jeff Budzien (Northwestern), Anthony Cantele (Kansas State), Chandler Catanzaro (Clemson), Brian Davis (Arkansas State), Trey Farquhar (Idaho), Brendan Gibbons (Michigan), Dustin Hopkins (Florida State), Michael Hunnicutt (Oklahoma), Austin Lopez (San Jose State), Mike Meyer (Iowa), Jaden Oberkrom (TCU), Cairo Santos (Tulane), Steven Schott (Ball State), Quinn Sharp (Oklahoma State), Jeremy Shelley (Alabama) and Caleb Sturgis (Florida).

Semifinalists will be voted on by FBS head coaches and SIDs, along with national and regional football writers, and past Groza winners to select the three finalists. These finalists will be announced on November 19th and honored at the 21st annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on December 4 in West Palm Beach, Fla. The winner will be announced live on the Home Depot ESPN College Football Awards Show on Thursday, December 6.

The award is named in honor of one of the all-time great kickers in football history, Lou Groza. Groza played 21 seasons for the Cleveland Browns setting numerous franchise records, including most games played, most points scored, and an amazing 107 consecutive games in which he scored a point. Groza was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

Past Groza finalists include current NFL kickers Sebastian Janikowski, Nate Kaeding, Mike Nugent, Mason Crosby, Garrett Hartley, Kai Forbath, Blair Walsh, Dan Bailey and Randy Bullock.