Almendares Named Finalist For Lou Groza Award

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Continuing on a record-setting year, Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns kicker Kenneth Almendares was named on Tuesday as one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced.

Almendares was selected by a panel of college football experts and joins Florida State's Ryan Fitzgerald and Alex Raynor of Kentucky in vying for the award given to the nation's top placekicker.

The Clute, Texas, native holds both the UL and Sun Belt Conference career record for most field goals made (65) while leading all FBS kickers with 25 field goals made this season. In 27 attempts, Almendares' 92.6-percent conversion rate is on pace to mark the third time since 2008 a kicker led the nation in field goals while connecting at 90-percent or greater accuracy.

His two misses on the season have come on attempts from 53 (wide right) and 60 yards (wide left). This season, he became the Sun Belt Conference's all-time leading field goal kicker and the leading scorer in Louisiana program history with his 117 points this season setting a UL single-season record.

This year, fans can have their part in naming the winner of the Lou Groza Award. Fans can visit www.lougrozaaward.com and cast a vote for their favorite of the three finalists selected by the national panel of voters. The finalist who receives the greatest total of fan votes will be given one vote on the final ballot. One vote can make a difference in the outcome, so fans are encouraged to participate.

This year's finalists were selected by a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers. These finalists will be honored at the 33^rd annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on December 9^th in Palm Beach County. The same voting panel then selects the winner, who will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 12^th. For more information on the Lou Groza Award and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, visit www.palmbeachsports.com.

Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 32 finalists, including 17 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning 13 trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home 7 Super Bowls. That list includes 2024 NFL kickers Daniel Carlson Jake Elliott, Ka'imi Fairbairn, Graham Gano, Matt Gay, Zane Gonzalez, Dustin Hopkins, Joshua Karty, Younghoe Koo, Jake Moody, Will Reichard and Cairo Santos.

National College Football Awards Association
The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards, and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.

About the Palm Beach County Sports Commission
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the County as a sports and sports tourism destination. The Commission brings sporting events and activities to the County, enhances economic impact, stimulates bed tax revenues (primarily in the off-season), and maximizes utilization of County facilities. The Commission offers a full range of event service support, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and a local membership program that supports its goals. Local, regional, national, and international marketing efforts are ongoing by the Commission with sports organizations and event owners. The Commission also produces sports-related programs for the residents of Palm Beach County including the annual Lou Groza Award program, the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches. For more information on the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, go to www.palmbeachsports.com.

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Almendares Named Finalist For Lou Groza Award

Players Mentioned

Kenneth Almendares

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