Some believe that Florida State missing the College Football Playoff was a travesty, but the all-time snub happened Friday at the ESPN College Football Awards Show.
Will Reichard has been the most reliable kicker in college football.
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He did not miss a field goal in 2020, 14-for-14, but the sophomore was not awarded the Lou Groza Award. Reichard returned to the University of Alabama for a fifth season this year, becoming the NCAA’s all-time scorer with 539 points. No one has scored more points than the Hoover (Ala.) native. He helped the Crimson Tide win a Southeastern Conference Championship and return to the College Football Playoff. Reichard showed his versatility in making kicks (20-for-23), executing extra points (53-for-53), performing kickoffs (47 touchbacks on 82 attempts), and punting (four attempts for 165 yards, 41.3 yards per punt).
He is the SEC’s Special Teams Player of the Year, but the Groza Award went to Graham Nicholson of the University of Miami at Ohio. Nicholson is a good specialist, but Reichard is the nation’s all-time leading scorer. The Crimson Tide has more naysayers to prove wrong. Reichard looks forward to helping his team handle Michigan in the Rose Bowl and get the Tide to a CFP National Championship. Alabama will continue to see who will bring home the Groza honor for it since Reichard was wrongfully snubbed.
Graham Nicholson is the 32nd recipient of the Lou Groza Award presented by the @OrangeBowl🏆 @gnicholson99 @MiamiRedHawks @MACSports
📰: https://t.co/S9qnmz83bz pic.twitter.com/zplG6Jnn8y
— Lou Groza Award (@LouGrozaAward) December 9, 2023
Reichard and the Tide battle the Wolverines on New Year’s Day.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
