Ben Sauls Named Semifinalist for Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
11/19/2024 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt's Ben Sauls has been named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl, it was announced today by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
Sauls becomes one of only three Pitt kickers to be named a Groza semifinalist, joining Alex Kessman (2020) and Chris Ferencik, who was a finalist for the 1995 award.
Sauls has been an invaluable scoring weapon for a Pitt offense that is averaging 35.0 points per game. His senior season highlights:
- Sauls has a team-high 89 points, converting 17-of-20 field goals (85%) and each of his 38 extra-point tries.
- Sauls has made 19 of his last 22 field goal attempts (86%) dating back to the 2023 season. He made a Pitt-record 15 consecutive field goals during that stretch, breaking Ferencik's mark that stood since 1995.
- He has made four 50-yard field goals in 2024—connecting from 58, 57, 53 and 50 yards—tying the Pitt season record set by Kessman (2018 and 2020).
- His 58-yarder also tied Kessman's Pitt record for longest field goal and provided the winning margin in a 17-15 win over California (Oct. 12).
- Sauls also played a crucial role in Pitt's 28-27 win over Cincinnati (Sept. 6) by kicking three field goals, including the game-winning 35-yarder with 17 seconds left that capped the Panthers' largest comeback (21-point deficit) in 53 years.
- He boasts top-20 national rankings in field goals per game (1.70 avg., 13th), total points (89, 18th) and points per game (8.9 avg., 19th).
Being named a Groza semifinalist is the latest accolade for Sauls.
He was lauded as the "Midseason Lou Groza Award winner" by Pro Football Focus (PFF) in October.
Sauls additionally is a two-time ACC Specialist of the Week (following the Cincinnati and California games) and was named one of three Lou Groza Stars of the Week following his game-winner at Cincinnati.
Sauls and the Panthers (7-3, 3-3 ACC) play at Louisville (6-4, 4-3) this Saturday. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN2 and kick off at 4 p.m. Pitt flagship station 93.7 The Fan provides radio coverage.
