By Habari Sports | October 20, 2026
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Three college football kickers delivered standout performances during Week 7, earning recognition as the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Stars of the Week for October 20, 2026.
San Diego State’s Cooper DiLeva, Auburn’s Alex McPherson, and Tennessee’s Cooper Ranvier received the weekly honors after performances that included dramatic game-winning field goals, record-tying efforts, and key contributions against nationally ranked opponents.
The Lou Groza Award, presented by the Orange Bowl and administered by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, recognizes three outstanding FBS kicking performances each week throughout the college football season.
Cooper DiLeva Delivers Game-Winner Against Fresno State
San Diego State senior kicker Cooper DiLeva delivered one of the most memorable moments of the weekend, connecting on a career-long 53-yard field goal to lift the Aztecs to a 26-23 victory over rival Fresno State.
The kick secured the Old Oil Can trophy for San Diego State and capped a four-field-goal performance by the senior from San Pedro, California.
Before the game-winning kick, DiLeva had already converted attempts from 40, 32, and 30 yards.
His four successful field goals tied San Diego State’s single-game program record and marked the first time an Aztec kicker had made four field goals in a game since 2023.
The performance also highlighted DiLeva’s impressive transition to FBS competition.
Through Week 7, he has converted 8 of 9 field-goal attempts, establishing himself as a reliable scoring option for the Aztecs in his first season at the FBS level.
With the rivalry game tied late, DiLeva’s longest career kick ultimately provided the difference between victory and defeat.
Alex McPherson Stuns No. 1 Georgia With Walk-Off Field Goal
Auburn senior kicker Alex McPherson delivered another dramatic finish in college football, connecting on a 34-yard field goal as time expired to give the Tigers a stunning 27-24 road victory over No. 1 Georgia.
For the second consecutive week, the nation’s top-ranked team suffered a defeat on a game-ending field goal.
McPherson’s kick marked Auburn’s first walk-off field-goal victory in regulation since the 2011 BCS National Championship Game.
The victory also represented just the second time in Auburn program history that the Tigers defeated the nation’s No. 1-ranked team on the road.
McPherson, a senior from Fort Payne, Alabama, played an important role well before the final seconds.
Late in the first half, he connected on a 49-yard field goal that gave Auburn its first lead of the game.
His two successful kicks helped produce one of the season’s biggest upsets, with the final attempt delivering a historic moment for the Tigers.
The performance earned McPherson a place among the Lou Groza Award’s Week 7 Stars of the Week.
Cooper Ranvier Powers Tennessee Past No. 6 Alabama
Tennessee junior kicker Cooper Ranvier played a central role in the Volunteers’ 26-10 victory over No. 6 Alabama, providing all of Tennessee’s scoring during the game’s first 40 minutes.
The Lexington, Kentucky, native connected on four first-half field goals, converting attempts from 41, 34, 33, and 29 yards.
His consistency kept Tennessee in position to take control of the game during the second half.
Ranvier’s four successful kicks marked the first four-field-goal performance by a Tennessee kicker since 2024.
It was also the second time in his collegiate career that he had made four field goals in a single game.
Through Week 7, Ranvier has converted 10 of 11 field-goal attempts, giving him a 90.9 percent success rate.
Among FBS kickers with more than 10 attempts, that percentage places him in a tie for sixth nationally, according to the Lou Groza Award announcement.
Ranvier’s performance demonstrated the value of dependable kicking in a major conference matchup, particularly when offensive touchdowns were difficult to produce early.
Week 7 Lou Groza Award Stars at a Glance
| Kicker | School | Week 7 Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Cooper DiLeva | San Diego State | Four field goals, including a career-long 53-yard game-winner against Fresno State |
| Alex McPherson | Auburn | Game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired against No. 1 Georgia |
| Cooper Ranvier | Tennessee | Four first-half field goals in a 26-10 victory over No. 6 Alabama |
All three kickers demonstrated how special teams can influence the outcome of major college football games.
While DiLeva and McPherson delivered last-second victories, Ranvier provided consistent scoring that helped Tennessee build toward a decisive win.
About the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award is named in honor of Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who spent 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
Groza helped Cleveland win four NFL championships and was named the NFL’s Player of the Year in 1954.
Although he also earned recognition as an All-Pro offensive lineman, Groza became one of football’s most influential kicking pioneers.
His success helped establish the importance of having a dedicated placekicker on an NFL roster.
Today, the award bearing his name recognizes excellence among collegiate kickers and celebrates the impact of special teams on the game.
The award is administered by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and presented by the Orange Bowl.
National College Football Awards Association
The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), an organization representing many of college football’s most prestigious individual honors.
The association’s 25 awards have recognized nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935.
During the 2026 season, 12 NCFAA awards are recognizing national players of the week each Tuesday.
The weekly honors highlight exceptional performances across multiple positions and provide additional recognition for student-athletes throughout the college football season.
About the Palm Beach County Sports Commission
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes Palm Beach County, Florida, as a destination for sporting events and sports tourism.
The organization works to attract local, regional, national, and international sporting events while supporting economic development, tourism, and community sports programming.
In addition to administering the Lou Groza Award, the Commission produces the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame and the Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches.
More Information
Lou Groza Award: https://www.lougrozaaward.com/
Palm Beach County Sports Commission: https://www.palmbeachsports.com/
National College Football Awards Association: https://www.ncfaa.org/
Social Media: @LouGrozaAward on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Source: Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Week 7 Stars of the Week announcement, October 20, 2026.
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