Pochman Named Lou Groza Award Semi-Finalist

PROVO, Utah -- On Nov. 2, the Orange Bowl Committee released its list of semi-finalists for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicker of the Year Award, selecting BYU kicker Owen Pochman as one of 20 kickers being considered for the award.

Pochman, a junior from Mercer Island, Wa., was named the Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 25th after connecting on five straight field goals against UNLV, leading BYU to a 29-0 win over the Rebels. Pochman paced the Cougars with 17 points, setting a BYU single-game scoring record. Pochman's five field goals also tied a 30-year-old school record, set by Joe "The Toe" Liljenquist who hit 5-of-6 in 1969. Pochman's 47-yard field goal with 8:13 left in the second quarter marked the longest of the season.

Pochman has made a school record 13 straight attempts and is 16-of-21 (.762) on the season. Pochman currently ranks third on BYU's all-time scoring list with 236 points and needs just four points to tie Jamal Willis (240) for second on the all-time scoring list. Kurt Gunther holds the BYU career scoring record with 243 points. Pochman has also connected on 24 straight PATs, dating back to the second quarter of the Virginia game.