Duke’s Todd Pelino Earns Spot on Prestigious Lou Groza Award Watch List
The esteemed Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award watch list now includes Duke University’s junior kicker Todd Pelino, as announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. This recognition highlights Pelino’s significant contribution to college football as a standout placekicker.
Entering his third year as Duke’s main placekicker, Pelino has distinguished himself on the field with an impressive scoring record. In the 2023 season, he led his team with a total of 92 points, successfully scoring 18 of 23 field goal attempts and maintaining a perfect record with 38 of 38 PATs (point after touchdown). His score not only placed him seventh in Duke’s all-time single-season records but also tied him for fifth across the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Pelino, a native of Cornelius, North Carolina, is entering the 2024 season on a strong note, having secured six consecutive field goals to end the previous year and having achieved 61 consecutive successful PATs. Throughout his 18-game career, Pelino has amassed 139 points, including 26 successful field goals out of 32 attempts.
His prowess was particularly evident in his career-long 52-yard field goal against NC State in 2023, a kick that stands as the 11th longest in Duke’s history. Pelino also marked a personal and season-best by scoring 12 points in games against UCF in 2022 and Pittsburgh in 2023, showcasing his consistent ability to impact the scoreboard significantly.
The next stages for potential Lou Groza Award success will see semifinalists named on November 19, 2024, followed by the narrowing down to three finalists a week later on November 26. The winner of the 33rd Annual Lou Groza Award will be revealed during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show, slated for December 12, 2024.
Named after NFL Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who famously played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, the award commemorates Groza’s dual legacy as both a skilled kicker and an All-Pro offensive lineman, highlighting his pioneering role in establishing a dedicated place for kickers in NFL rosters. Pelino’s inclusion on this list links him to a historic lineage of excellence in professional football kicking.
