FLORIDA FOOTBALL: Trey Smack Named Lou Groza Award Semifinalist

While the Gators have had their fair share of special teams woes throughout the course of the season, there has been one aspect that, for the most part, has been consistent. That aspect is Trey Smack, who did not even start the year as the starting kicker, but he is now a Lou Groza National Place-Kicker Award semifinalist.

Photo Chris Spears

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced the semifinalists on Thursday morning. The list includes 25 total kickers and will be voted on by a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers to select three finalists. Finalists will be announced on November 28.

Smack has earned a lot of recognition this season already for his kicking prowess, being named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week twice (week four and week seven) this year. He was also named the Lou Groza Star of the Week after those same games.

Despite the heat Smack received after missing a potential game-winner against Arkansas, the Severna Park (Md.) native has been rock solid in his role.

The sophomore has converted on 14 of 16 field goals (87.5%) and is 19 for 19 on extra point attempts (100%). He is also 8 of 8 on field goals shorter than 40 yards, as well as 2 of 2 from 50+ yards.

Smack's best game came against Charlotte, in which he went 5/5 and made a career-long 54-yard field goal.