July 11, 2012

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio University senior place kicker Matt Weller was among 30 players named to the Watch List for the 2012 Lou Groza College Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission on Wednesday.

Weller's preseason accolade is his second this summer. Earlier this summer he was selected to the Watch List for the 2012 College Football Performance Awards Specialist Trophy.

The Twinsburg, Ohio native enters his final season in Athens following a decorated junior campaign in which he was named the Mid-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year. He also took home All-MAC Second Team, Phil Steele All-MAC First Team and CollegeSportsMadness.com All-MAC First Team honors. Off the field, Weller was recognized for his work in the classroom as he was selected to the Academic All-MAC Team.

In addition, Weller set six single-season records and five career records while earning the MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week five times throughout the 2011 season.

During the 2011 season, Weller connected on 48-of-49 extra points and totaled 25 field goals, missing just one attempt from under 40-yards or less. His 25 field goals are the most among any returning kicker this year.

While the Watch List highlights thirty of the best returning kickers in the country, the Groza Committee will be watching all FBS kickers during the season and releasing a weekly "Stars of the Week" feature on www.lougrozaaward.com.

Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award announces its 20 semifinalists on Monday, November 5th. From this list, a panel of more than 300 experts selects the top three finalists for the award by Monday, November 19th. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, December 6th during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Award Show, broadcast live from Orlando, Fla.

The 21st Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl Committee, recognizes the three finalists during an early week celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 4th, prior to joining ESPN in Orlando.

The 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.

For more information on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to see the "Stars of the Week" throughout the season, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter.