BOULDER? University of Colorado junior place-kicker Mason Crosby was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award Monday. The honor is given every year to the nation’s top collegiate kicker.
“I was hoping for it,” Crosby said of the semifinalist nomination. “But I have to work hard these last few weeks. My stats are not where I want them to be but all that matters is that we keep winning.”
Crosby laid an assault on the CU record books last season, and he is back at it again this year. Early in the season, he hit a 58-yard field goal against Miami, the longest field goal at sea level in NCAA history (without a tee). For his career, he has booted ten kicks of 50 yards or longer.
Crosby is coming off an impressive game against Missouri in which he converted 2-of-3 field goals?one of them a 56-yarder. His 11 points on the day gave him 215 for his career, as he moved past Bobby Anderson (212) into third place all-time at Colorado. He trails only Eric Bienemy (254) and Jeremy Aldrich (231).
His performance also earned him Big 12 Player of the Week Honors, the fourth time he has been recognized with the conference distinction this season. Only former Texas running back Ricky Williams (5) garnered more conference player of the week honors in one season (his Heisman season in 1998). Crosby's seven career player of the week honors ties him for first in Big 12 history with Williams (1996-98) and former Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch (1998-2001).
"It's an honor every time I get those awards," Crosby said. "I feel like I haven't made all of the kicks that I should have, but it's nice when people notice what I'm doing."
Crosby’s long range factors heavily into opponents’ game plans, as his kickoffs generally sail out of the end zone and his field goal range lies somewhere around midfield. The week before facing CU, Missouri safety David Overstreet contended to reporters that with Crosby, it isn’t enough to hold Colorado to three downs and out.
“It’s got to be three and out and knock ?em back a little further to get them out of field goal range,” he said.
A national voting body of Division I coaches, sports writers and sportscasters, conference representatives, professional kickers and previous Groza Award finalists will announce the three finalists on Nov. 21. The 2005 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award winner will be announced on Dec. 8 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Award Show in Orlando, Fla.
2005 Lou Groza Award Semi-Finalists:
Mike Barrow, Idaho
Dan Beardall, Utah
Kenny Byrd, New Mexico
Brandon Coutu, Georgia
Mason Crosby, Colorado*
Jad Dean, Clemson
John Deraney, NC State
Brad DeVault, Tulsa
Connor Hughes, Virginia
Josh Huston, Ohio State
Robert Lee, East Carolina
Darren McCaleb, Southern Miss*
Brandon Pace, Virginia Tech*
Garrett Rivas, Michigan
Jason Robbins, Toledo
Kyle Schlicher, Iowa
Reagan Schneider, UTEP*
Alexis Serna, Oregon State*
Clint Stister, Fresno State
Sam Swank, Wake Forest
*Indicates 2004 Lou Groza Semi-Finalists
