Alex Hale Makes Semifinal List for the Lou Groza Award
(Pokes Report publisher Robert Allen contributed to this story originated by Oklahoma State University athletic media relations and written by Sean Maguire.)
STILLWATER – For the second time in his career, Oklahoma State kicker Alex Hale is a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl. Hale, a senior from Point Frederick, New South Wales, Australia, was also a semifinalist in 2020. Of the 20 semifinalists this year, he is one of six who is a multi-year semifinalist.
The FBS leader with 2.22 made field goals per game, Hale is only kicker in the nation who has hit 20 field goals this season, and he has made three field goals longer than 50 yards in 2023.
Hale set the Oklahoma State record for most field goals in a game with five against Kansas State and then set the record for most in a two-game span with four more against Kansas.
He leads the Big 12 and ranks No. 4 in the FBS with 90 points scored, and most recently hit a fourth quarter field goal against No. 9 Oklahoma to help seal a 3-point win.
His re-emergence this season has been even more impressive as he had to overcome an ACL tear and knee reconstruction from two seasons ago that occured in warm-ups before a Bedlam game in Norman. That is an injury that kickers rarely have to endure. Hale has been dedicated and focused in his efforts to get back.
A panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers will select the three award finalists, who will be announced on November 28 and honored at the 32nd annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on December 4 in Palm Beach County. The same panel then selects the winner, who will be announced live on ESPN during the Home Depot College Football Awards on Friday, December 8.
Hale and the Cowboys return to action Saturday, facing UCF in Orlando at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.