Oklahoma State University Athletics
Grogan Named Semifinalist for Lou Groza Award
November 06, 2014 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER, Okla. -
Oklahoma State kicker Ben Grogan is one of 20 semifinalists for the 2014 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced today. Cowboy defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah was also recognized today as part of the Mid-Season Watch List for the 2014 Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to nation's best defensive end.
Grogan has been a key contributor for the Cowboys this season, ranking third nationally with 18 made field goals and among the top 20 nationally in scoring. The sophomore out of Arlington, Texas, started the season by missing three of his first five field goal attempts, but improved considerably, knocking in 16 of his last 18 attempts, including a stretch of 12 without a miss. His 18 field goals made this year rank as the sixth-best single-season mark in school history.
Semifinalists for the Groza Award will be voted on by FBS head coaches and Sports Information Directors, past Groza finalists, and national and regional football writers to select the three finalists. These finalists will be announced Nov. 24 and honored at the 23rd annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on Dec. 9 in West Palm Beach, Fla. The winner will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 11.
Ogbah has been a force on the defensive line all season. He erupted on a national stage to open 2014 when he had six tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and two pass-breakups against top-ranked Florida State. That wasn't even his best performance of the season, as he enjoyed a record-setting day by registering 5.5 tackles for loss in Oklahoma State's win at Kansas. His 5.5 tackles for loss set an OSU single-game record, were the most for any player in the country this season and were the most for a Big 12 player since 2009. The sophomore out of Houston leads the Big 12 and ranks eighth nationally in both sacks and tackles for loss this season.
The Mid-Season Watch List for the Hendricks Award consists of 32 players. The list will stay open to additions and deletions until the selection committee completes its first vote on Nov. 25. Members of the national media, head coaches, professional scouts and former winners are included in the award's voting committee.
The Hendricks Award voting committee will cast two votes, including one to narrow the list of candidates to four to six finalists, and one to choose the winner for the season. The final Mid-Season Watch List will be announced in late November and the 2014 winner will be announced on Dec. 11.
