Tate Sandell, Robert Czeremcha and Rudy Kessinger Named Lou Groza Week 6 Stars

By Habari Sports | October 13, 2026

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell, FIU’s Robert Czeremcha and Eastern Michigan’s Rudy Kessinger earned Lou Groza Award “Stars of the Week” recognition for Week 6 after performances that included a rivalry-winning kick, a program record and a late conference game-winner.

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced the honors Tuesday. The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes three standout FBS kickers each week.

Sandell’s Final Kick Lifts Oklahoma Past No. 1 Texas

Reigning Lou Groza Award winner Tate Sandell delivered a 47-yard field goal as time expired to give Oklahoma a 27–24 victory over top-ranked Texas in the Red River Rivalry.

The fifth-year kicker from Port Neches, Texas, also connected from 53 yards earlier in the game, helping begin Oklahoma’s comeback from a 10-point halftime deficit. It was his first long-distance make of the season, according to the award announcement.

The release identified the victory as Oklahoma’s first over a No. 1-ranked opponent since 2007. It was also only the second time in program history that the Sooners scored game-winning points with no time remaining on the clock.

Sandell’s closing kick capped a comeback in one of college football’s most prominent rivalry games.

Czeremcha Ties FIU Record With Five Field Goals

FIU sophomore Robert Czeremcha went 5-for-5 on field goals as the Panthers defeated New Mexico State 22–3 in their Conference USA opener.

The Miami, Florida, native converted from 21, 33, 40, 48 and 52 yards, tying FIU’s single-game record for made field goals. He became the first Panther to make five in a game since 2008.

His 52-yard kick finished one yard short of the program’s longest field goal, according to the announcement.

The five makes increased Czeremcha’s season total to 11, placing him in a tie for seventh nationally at the time of the release.

His perfect night supplied 15 of FIU’s 22 points.

Kessinger Keeps Eastern Michigan Unbeaten in Conference Play

Eastern Michigan junior Rudy Kessinger made all four field-goal attempts, including a late 48-yarder, to help the Eagles defeat Akron 25–23.

The kicker from Columbus, Ohio, had already connected from 22, 23, and 33 yards before making the eventual game-winner with less than two minutes remaining.

It was the first four-field-goal game of Kessinger’s career and the most makes by an Eastern Michigan kicker in five years, according to the release.

The victory moved Eastern Michigan to 3–0 in conference play for the first time since 1995.

Recognizing College Football’s Top Kickers

The Lou Groza Award is named for Lou “The Toe” Groza, the Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker and offensive lineman 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. His career helped establish place-kicking as a specialized role on NFL rosters.

The award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association.

More information and weekly honorees are available at LouGrozaAward.com.

Source: Palm Beach County Sports Commission Lou Groza Award release dated October 13, 2026.