Gaglianone claims spot on Groza Award watch list
July 09, 2015 | Football
July 9, 2015
MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin sophomore kicker Rafael Gaglianone made his way into the Badgers' record books last season, with his rookie performance good enough to land him consideration for the title of the nation's top placekicker.
The 30-player preseason watch list for the 2015 Lou Groza Award, presented annually to the best kicker in the country, was announced Thursday by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
Gaglianone is one of 15 new faces on the watch list and one of four kickers from the Big Ten Conference.
As a true freshman, Gaglianone ended his season with a streak of 14 consecutive made field goals to match the UW school record set in 1999 by Vitaly Pisetsky. After just one season with the Badgers, Gaglianone ranks 10th in school history with 19 career field goals and third with a .967 (59-of-61) career PAT percentage.
The consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten pick saw action in 13 games in his premiere season and converted 19 of 22 field goal attempts. His .864 field goal percentage was eighth-best among FBS kickers and ranks No. 2 on Wisconsin's single-season list.
The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native went 2-for-3 from beyond 50 yards, becoming just the third player -- and first freshman -- in school history to hit multiple 50-yard field goals in a season. In addition, he went 14-for-15 on field goals inside 40 yards.
Gaglianone exploded onto the scene after booting a 51-yard field goal against LSU on Aug. 30 in his debut for the Badgers. He became the second UW freshman to convert a 50-yarder on his first career attempt.
He finished the year with a pair of big kicks vs. Auburn in the Outback Bowl, knocking in a 29-yarder to tie the game with 7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and then converting 25-yard game-winner in overtime.
The Lou Groza Award is named for Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, 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. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
Semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award will be announced Nov. 5, while the three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 23. The winner will be announced as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards show held Dec. 10, live on ESPN.
