University of Houston Athletics
Sanchez Named Lou Groza Award Semifinalist
11/18/2025 11:00:00 AM | Football
Clutch kicker one of 20 semifinalists for top place kicker award
HOUSTON – Houston Football senior kicker Ethan Sanchez was named a Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Semifinalist on Tuesday following a spectacular first 10 games as a Cougar.
Sanchez has been clutch late in games with three game winning field goals either as time expired, in overtime or with under three-minutes to play.
The Dallas, Ga., native has made 19 field goals in his first and only season with the Cougars, the most in the Big 12 Conference. The 19 field goals are the fourth-most nationally.
Money from 40+, Sanchez is one of four semifinalists with 10+ field goals from 40+ yards.
Sanchez's 19 field goals are the most by a Cougar kicker since Dalton Witherspoon made 20 field goals in 2019 and are three away from tying the school record 22 set by Roman Anderson in 1989.
Houston's kicker is 19 of 22 this season, posting the top field goal percentage in Cougar history, thus far, with at least 15 made field goals.
Sanchez made the second-most field goals in program history with his five made field goals against Colorado (Sept. 12) and made another four at Oklahoma State (Oct. 11). He is one of two kickers in FBS with multiple games of 4+ made field goals and is one of 14 with three or more games with 3+ made field goals.
The senior made a 52-yard field goal against Colorado in his five-field goal performance, the second-longest of his career and the longest by a Cougar since Dalton Witherspoon's 52-yarder in 2021.
Sanchez is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl. Sanchez has been named a Lou Groza Award Star of the Week twice in 2025.
About the Lou Groza Award
The Award is named for National Football League 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.
Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 33 finalists, including 17 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning 13 trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home 8 Super Bowls. That list includes 2025 NFL kickers Daniel Carlson Jake Elliott, Ka'imi Fairbairn, Ryan Fitzgerald, Graham Gano, Matt Gay, Zane Gonzalez, Joshua Karty, Younghoe Koo, Jake Moody, Will Reichard, Cairo Santos and Andre Szmyt.
UP NEXT
Houston takes on TCU inside TDECU Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. on FOX.
From there, the Cougars close their regular-season schedule when they meet Baylor on Nov. 29 in Waco, Texas. Game time and broadcasting network for that game will be announced soon.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
Sanchez has been clutch late in games with three game winning field goals either as time expired, in overtime or with under three-minutes to play.
The Dallas, Ga., native has made 19 field goals in his first and only season with the Cougars, the most in the Big 12 Conference. The 19 field goals are the fourth-most nationally.
Money from 40+, Sanchez is one of four semifinalists with 10+ field goals from 40+ yards.
Sanchez's 19 field goals are the most by a Cougar kicker since Dalton Witherspoon made 20 field goals in 2019 and are three away from tying the school record 22 set by Roman Anderson in 1989.
Houston's kicker is 19 of 22 this season, posting the top field goal percentage in Cougar history, thus far, with at least 15 made field goals.
Sanchez made the second-most field goals in program history with his five made field goals against Colorado (Sept. 12) and made another four at Oklahoma State (Oct. 11). He is one of two kickers in FBS with multiple games of 4+ made field goals and is one of 14 with three or more games with 3+ made field goals.
The senior made a 52-yard field goal against Colorado in his five-field goal performance, the second-longest of his career and the longest by a Cougar since Dalton Witherspoon's 52-yarder in 2021.
Sanchez is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl. Sanchez has been named a Lou Groza Award Star of the Week twice in 2025.
About the Lou Groza Award
The Award is named for National Football League 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.
Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 33 finalists, including 17 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning 13 trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home 8 Super Bowls. That list includes 2025 NFL kickers Daniel Carlson Jake Elliott, Ka'imi Fairbairn, Ryan Fitzgerald, Graham Gano, Matt Gay, Zane Gonzalez, Joshua Karty, Younghoe Koo, Jake Moody, Will Reichard, Cairo Santos and Andre Szmyt.
UP NEXT
Houston takes on TCU inside TDECU Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. on FOX.
From there, the Cougars close their regular-season schedule when they meet Baylor on Nov. 29 in Waco, Texas. Game time and broadcasting network for that game will be announced soon.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
Players Mentioned
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