WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Record-setting long-distance kicks, late-game winners and a perfect 21-point performance earned four college football kickers recognition as the Lou Groza Award’s Week 8 “Stars of the Week.”
Dominic Bourgeois of Middle Tennessee, Dawson Jones of Army, Sam Keltner of Oklahoma State and James London of App State received the honors announced October 27.
The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl and administered by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, recognizes standout performances by FBS kickers throughout the season.
Dominic Bourgeois Makes Middle Tennessee History
Bourgeois went four-for-four on field goals in Middle Tennessee’s 26–23 road victory over Florida International, becoming the first Blue Raider to make multiple field goals of at least 50 yards in one game.
The senior from Baltimore connected from 51, 50, 39, and 28 yards. His two longest kicks added to a 52-yarder earlier in the season, making him the first player in program history with three field goals of 50 yards or more in a single season.
According to the award announcement, Bourgeois was one of only eight FBS kickers to reach that mark this season.
Dawson Jones Delivers Army’s Walk-Off Winner
Jones made a 50-yard field goal as time expired to give Army a 38–35 victory over Tulsa. It was his second game-winning kick in three weeks.
The junior from Waxhaw, North Carolina, also connected from 51 and 34 yards before halftime, finishing with three field goals.
Jones became the first Army kicker to make two field goals of at least 50 yards in the same game. The performance ended a lengthy drought for the Black Knights, who had not made a 50-yard field goal in more than a decade, according to the release.
Sam Keltner Scores 21 Points for Oklahoma State
Keltner remained perfect on the season while helping Oklahoma State rally past Colorado, 57–24.
The sophomore from Keller, Texas, made all five field-goal attempts and all six extra points, accounting for 21 points. That was the highest single-game total by an FBS kicker since 2023 and only the sixth performance to reach that total in the past 30 years, according to the announcement.
Keltner, who joined Oklahoma State during the offseason, improved to 18-for-18 on field goals and 28-for-28 on extra points. His run of 18 consecutive successful field goals tied the program record.
James London Lifts App State in Overtime
London’s 40-yard overtime field goal secured App State’s 34–31 victory over previously unbeaten James Madison.
The senior from Miami finished four-for-four, adding earlier field goals from 48, 27, and 36 yards.
London became the first App State kicker since 2011 to finish a game without a miss while attempting at least four field goals.
About the Lou Groza Award
The award is named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Lou “The Toe” Groza, who spent 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. An accomplished offensive lineman and kicker, Groza helped establish place-kicking as a specialized role in professional football.
The award belongs to the National College Football Awards Association, which oversees many of college football’s major individual honors. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission produces the annual Lou Groza Award program.
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