Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech placekicker John Love has been named to the watch list for the Lou Groza Award which goes to the nation’s top kicker.
Love (5-11, 180) kicked in all 13 games last season, connecting on 16 of his 18 field goal attempts for an 88.8 success rate. He was a perfect 42 of 42 on PATs on his way to earning All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades.
The Spartanburg, South Carolina product was 5-5 from 40-49 yards and 3-4 from 50-plus yards. He nailed a then career-long of 57 yards against Miami and was named ACC Specialist of the Week. Love was named ACC Specialist of the Week a second time after hitting on field-goal attempts from 44, 31 and 28 yards against Virginia. He also set a new career-long with a 60-yard field goal against Minnesota in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
The Groza 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 and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. 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.
The 34th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 8th in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Don't miss watching Love and his teammates in action this fall. Purchase your tickets today to ensure your place in Lane Stadium's electric atmosphere.