WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (Nov. 1, 2018) – The Palm Beach County Sports Commission has released the 20 semifinalists for the 2018 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl. FIU's sophomore sensation Jose Borregales continues to stay in the national spotlight as he was named as one of the 20 semifinalists. 

Borregales garnered attention from ESPN's Scott Van Pelt earlier in the week, as the kicker captivates national audiences with his play and presence on the field. The Miami native has booted 10-of-11 kicks through the uprights this season, while also breaking FIU's school record for the longest field goal made after nailing a 53-yarder against Middle Tennessee. 
 
Borregales is one of just three kickers from C-USA named to the watch list on Thursday, joining UTSA's Jared Sackett and North Texas' Cole Hedlund on the 20-player list. Utah's Matt Gay took home the honor last season, after making 30 field goals.
 
From the list, a panel of more than 300 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award by Tuesday, November 20. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, December 6 during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
 
The 27th annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet at West Palm Beach's Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on December 3.
 
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.

UP NEXT
Borregales and the Panthers host Florida Atlantic this Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET for Shula Bowl XVII. Fans interested in purchasing tickets should click here.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIU.Football on Instagram and @FIUFootball on Twitter and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.