Pochman Named To Groza Award Top-20 List

PROVO -- Today the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced BYU kicker Owen Pochman as one of the 20 finalists for the ninth annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-kicker Award presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl.

The award is voted on by a national panel of over 160 voters across the country. The list will be trimmed to three finalist with the winner being announced on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2000 in West Palm Beach, Fla. Immediately following the announcement, the winner will be flown to Disney World in Orland, Fla., for the 2000 Home Depot College Football Awards Show, which will be broadcast on ESPN on Dec. 7, 2000.

Pochman has produced a team-leading 59 points on the season, including a season-high 10 points against San Diego State. Pochman has produced a school record 306 points over his career.

The left-footed senior has connected on 23-of-23 extra-point attempts and split the uprights on 12-of-17 field goals during the 2000 campaign. Pochman was a perfect five-for-five on PATs against Utah State and connected on a 28-yard field goal for the Cougars' first points of the ball game. Pochman is a perfect three-for-three from 20-28 yards on the season and is 6-for-9 from 40-49 yards. Pochman has connected on 53 straight extra-point attempts, dating back to Sept. 25, 1999. After having a PAT blocked against Virginia with 7:17 remaining in the second quarter, Pochman has not missed a single extra-point attempt.

The Mercer Island, Wash., native has recorded 25 touchbacks, recording just over .500 touchback percentage. Pochman helped BYU overcome a 21-0 halftime deficit to upset Virginia in its home-opener back on Sept. 2. Pochman split the uprights on a 26-yard effort to give BYU a 38-35 overtime victory. Against San Diego State, Pochman nailed a career-long 50-yard field goal to give BYU a 15-13 lead with :46 remaining.