July 10, 2013
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – – University of Iowa senior placekicker Mike Meyer has been named to the Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List for the third consecutive season. The award, given annually to the nation?fs top placekicker by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, features 30 student-athletes on its preseason watch list.
Kickers on the Lou Groza Award Watch List were chosen based on statistics from the 2012 season and 2013 preseason expectations. Meyer, a Dubuque, Iowa native, was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2011 and 2012. His current streak of 81 consecutive made PATs broke the previous school record of 60, set by former Groza Award winner Nate Kaeding.
His current streak of 81 consecutive PAT?fs ranks 10th best all time in the Big Ten, while his streak of 13 consecutive made field goals in 2012 ranks as the ninth longest streak in the Big Ten.
In 2012 Meyer was 17-21 on field goal attempts, with a season long of 50 yards. Meyer earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by both league coaches and media. He ranks fifth in career scoring with 235 points.
Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Monday, November 4th. Three finalists will be named Monday, November 25th. The winner will be announced Thursday, December 10th, during the Home Depot College Football Award Show.
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.
Meyer is one of three Hawkeyes to be named to various preseason Watch Lists for the upcoming season, joining senior TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (Mackey), and senior LB James Morris (Bednarik and Lott IMPACT). The Hawkeyes open the season Saturday, Aug. 31 against Northern Illinois in Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. (BTN).