Northwestern University Athletics
Jeff Budzien Named Lou Groza Award Semifinalist
11/4/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 4, 2013
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern senior place-kicker Jeff Budzien (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) is one of 20 national semifinalists for the 2013 Lou Groza Award, the honor presented annually to the top-performing kicker in FBS football. The announcement was made Monday by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
It is the second straight season in which Budzien has been tabbed a Lou Groza Award semifinalist.
Budzien has followed up his 2012 Big Ten Kicker of the Year campaign by converting 14-of-16 field goals this season, including 6-of-6 from 30-39 yards with a season long of 43.
Budzien is now 33-of-36 on field goal attempts since the start of 2012 and 39-of-46 for his career, landing him in a tie for third all-time at Northwestern with 39 career field goals. He ranks also is alone in second place on NU's career points scored list with 248 and is sixth among active career leaders in field goal percentage (.848).
The Wisconsin native, who already this season was selected as an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member in recognition of his outstanding community outreach efforts, is a perfect 131-for-131 on extra point attempts in his career.
Semifinalists will be voted on by FBS Head Coaches and sports information directors, past Groza finalists, and national and regional football writers to select three finalists. These finalists will be announced on Nov. 25 and honored at the 22nd annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on Dec. 10 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The winner will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 12.
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