Ewald named to Groza watchlist

Placekicker Mitch Ewald joins teammates tight end Ted Bolser and center Will Matte on an annual positional award watchlist, after being picked as one of 30 players tabbed to be watched for the Lou Groza Award. Ewald was also named to the same list a year ago, for the award given to the country's top kicker.

In 16 career Big Ten games, Ewald is 20-for-23 on field goal attempts and a perfect 35-for-35 on extra-point tries.

Here is the full press release from IU Athletics:

EWALD SELECTED TO LOU GROZA AWARD WATCH LIST

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana junior kicker Mitch Ewald is one of 30 players on the Watch List for the 2012 Lou Groza College Place-Kicker Award, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced Wednesday morning. Ewald is a Lou Groza Award candidate for the second straight season.

Indiana's all-time career field goal percentage leader, Ewald has made 29 field goals in 35 attempts (82.9 percent) and is a perfect 63-of-63 on extra points. His field goal percentage is also seventh among active kickers.

The Naperville, Ill., native’s 29 field goals are seventh on IU's career list and his 63 extra points are ninth. He is tied for third and eighth on the school's single-season field goals list and seventh on the school's single-season extra points list.

In 16 career Big Ten games, Ewald is 20-of-23 (87.0) from field goal range and 35-of-35 on extra points.

Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award announces its 20 semifinalists on Monday, Nov. 5. From this list, a panel of more than 300 experts selects the top three finalists for the award by Monday, Nov. 19. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 6, during the Home Depot ESPNU College FootballAward Show, broadcast live from Orlando, Fla.

The 21st Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl Committee, recognizes the three finalists during an early week celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 4, prior to joining ESPN in Orlando.

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.

For more information on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to see the “Stars of the Week” throughout the season, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter.