Courtesy of UNLV
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Already a three-time Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week, UNLV freshman Caden Chittenden has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, which goes annually to the nation’s top kicker.
The Las Vegas native is college football’s top scoring kicker with 109 points and is tied for the national lead in made field goals with 22. He has made 43-of-44 extra points and also kicked off 66 times and forced 44 touchbacks by opponents.
A graduate of Faith Lutheran High School, Chittenden has doubled the former UNLV single-season record for field goals made by a freshman and is tied for the Mountain West all-time freshman record. A Midseason True Freshman All-American according to 247Sports, he has also been named MW Freshman of the Week three times this fall.
Chittenden follows in the footsteps of UNLV’s 2023 First Team All-American kicker Jose Pizano who was one of three finalists for the Groza Award last season.
Semifinalists will be voted on by a panel of FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers to select the three finalists who will be announced on Nov. 26 and honored at the 33rd annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet on Dec. 9 in Palm Beach County, Florida. The winner of the 2024 award will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards Dec. 12. The award is named for Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
UNLV closes out its regular-season road schedule on Friday with a trip to San Jose State, starting at 7 p.m. on FS1. The Rebels will then celebrate Senior Day in the annual Battle for the Fremont Cannon vs. UNR on Nov. 30. Kickoff for that one at Allegiant Stadium is set for 5 p.m. and tickets are available by visiting unlvtickets.com or calling (702) 739-FANS.
