The Gophers' Dragan Kesich on Thursday was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the top place-kicker in college football.
Gophers kicker Dragan Kesich named Lou Groza Award semifinalist
The award is given annually to the top place-kicker in college football.
November 9, 2023 at 5:25PM
![Minnesota Gophers place kicker Dragan Kesich (99) high fives holder Mark Crawford (96) after Kesich kicked a second quarter field goal, giving the Gophers their first lead of the game heading into half time against the Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn.. ] AARON LAVINSKY • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/UDK2NREQ5MWKX2NSHJGY7HRRNQ.jpg?&w=712)
Kesich, a junior from Oak Creek, Wis., has converted 18 of 21 field-goal attempts this season, including a 47-yarder as time expired to give the Gophers a 13-10 win over Nebraska in the season opener. Kesich's 2.00 field goals per game leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally, while his 85.7% success rate is third in the conference and 30th nationally.
Kesich also handles the Gophers' kickoff duties, and 38 of his 45 kicks have gone for touchbacks. His touchback percentage of 84.44 ranks fifth among FBS teams, while his 64.64 yards per kickoff are third in the nation.
Semifinalists will be voted on by a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, sports information directors, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers to select the three finalists. Finalists will be named Nov. 28, and the winner will be announced Dec. 8.
Steven Curtis from Illinois State and Jaylen Bowden from North Carolina Central committed to Minnesota.
