Oct. 10, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF junior Michael Torres was among a trio of placekickers named to this week's Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Stars of the Week. Torres was joined by Mario Danelo of the University of Southern California and Austin Starr of Indiana University after each one played a vital role in leading their teams to victory this past week.
Torres nailed a 22-yard field goal with six seconds remaining to secure the Golden Knights' 23-22 come from behind victory over Marshall. The 22-yard strike was Torres' third field goal of the evening. All three of Torres' field goals came from 22-yards out. Torres also made two extra point attempts, accounting for 11 of UCF's total points.
Danelo went a perfect 4-for-4 in field goals in USC's 26-20 win over Washington. Danelo hit field goals from 34, 32, 25, and 21-yards in the Trojans' victory. Danelo also connected on his two extra point attempts giving him 14 total points on the afternoon.
Austin Starr connected on a game winning 33-yard field goal as time expired to cap off an impressive 34-32 Hoosiers' comeback victory over Illinois. Starr also added four extra points and a 23-yard field goal towards the end of the 3rd quarter in the Indiana win.
For more information on the Top Three Stars of the Week, including photos and bios, please visit http://www.lougrozaaward.com/Candidates/index.htm.
The 2006 winner of the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award is presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl and is announced on Thursday, December 7, 2006 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Award Show in Orlando, Florida. The top three finalists for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award are honored during the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet and Silent Auction on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott. This is an event of the Palm Beach County Sports Institute.
All Division I-A kickers are eligible for the Award named for NFL Hall of Fame Kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza. Voters for the award include Division I-A head coaches, sports writers and sportscasters, conference representatives, professional kickers, and previous Groza Award finalists.
The Lou Groza Award is also sponsored by The Breakers, Coastal Limousine, Continental Airlines, Enterprise rent-a-car, ESPN Radio 760, ESPN Regional Television, FedEx Orange Bowl, Florida Atlantic University Athletics, Florida Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Hartless Foundation, JBS Destination Solutions, John F. Romano, P.A., Palm Beach Gardens Marriott, Palm Beach Kennel Club, The Palm Beach Post, Parallax Productions, PGA National Golf Club, Rooney's Public House, Team A-fin-ity Sportfishing, The Tux Shop and WPEC News-12.
For more information regarding the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, please contact Dusty Ann Williams at the Palm Beach County Sports Institute at (561) 233-3122 or dwilliams@palmbeachsports.com.