Gators kicker Trey Smack a  Lou Groza Award semifinalist

On3 imageby:Keith Niebuhr•11/09/23•

On3Keith

Florida Gators placekicker Trey Smack is being recognized for his solid play this season.

Smack, a sophomore, on Thursday was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which goes to the nation’s top placekicker. The announcement was made by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.

Smack, who is from Severna Park, Md., took over the Gators’ placekicking duties in a Week-3 win over Tennessee. Since then, he has made 14 of 16 field goal attempts and is 19 of 19 on PATs.

Smack has made two field goals over 50 yards in length, and both covered 54 yards. His only two misses this season have been outside of 40 yards.

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Against South Carolina, Smack’s four field goals were crucial in Florida’s dramatic 41-39 road win at Williams-Brice Stadium. For his efforts, he was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Smack also earned that honor earlier in the season after he went 5 of 5 on kicks and scored 16 points in a 22-7 win over Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. One of his kicks was good from 54 yards.

Smack was named Lou Groza Star of the Week after both of those above games.

The Lou Groza Award is named for legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Lou Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Many consider him one of the greatest kickers of all time.

Smack is one of 20 semifinalists. Voters for the award consist of a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, sports information directors, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers. They’ll announce three finalists Nov. 28.

Only one Florida Gators kicker has ever won the Lou Groza Award. That was Judd Davis in 1993.

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