Joey Slye Named a Semifinalist for Lou Groza Award

Junior Kicker One of 20 FBS Players on List

November 3, 2016

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Virginia Tech junior kicker Joey Slye was named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2016 Lou Groza Award presented by the Orange Bowl. The Stafford, Va., native is second in the ACC in scoring with 80 points, trailing only Louisville QB Lamar Jackson (96 points). His 16 made FGs rank third among Power Five kickers, while his 32 made PATs are tied for the top mark in the ACC.

Slye was named the ACC Specialist of the Week after Tech’s 39-36 win at Pittsburgh on Oct. 27. Slye tied an ACC record with six made FGs in that contest, while his 21 points were the most ever by a Hokies’ kicker in a single game. He is 16-20 (.800) on FG attempts and 32-33 (.970) on PATs. He has made 24 straight FG attempts inside 40 yards. Slye’s 59 career made FGs rank second in school history behind Shayne Graham (68), while his 283 points are fifth on Virginia Tech’s all-time scoring list.

Finalists for the Lou Groza Award will be announced on Nov. 22 and will be honored at the 25th annual Lou Groza Awards Banquet on Dec. 5. The winner will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 8.

The award’s namesake is Pro Football Hall of Famer Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland setting numerous franchise records, including most games played, most points scored, and an amazing 107 consecutive games in which he scored a point. He was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974

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