Ben Sauls has been one of the only constants for Pitt football this season, and he’s up for a national honor.
Sauls has been named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which is given annually to the best place-kicker in college football. He’s one of 20 semifinalists for the honor, which will be narrowed to a group of finalists later this season.
Sauls is the second-highest-rated kicker in college football by PFF. He’s drilled all 17-of-20 field goal attempts (with a long of 58 yards) and all 38 of his point-after attempts — with a team-high 89 points.
He tied a program record with his 58-yarder against Cal earlier this month, which was the longest field goal by a Pitt kicker at Acrisure Stadium. And with a 49-yarder against Syracuse in October, he set the record for the most consecutive made field goals in program history.
Sauls has showed off the leg strength this season, connecting on all four of his attempts of at least 50 yards.
“He’s the best one I’ve ever been around,” Narduzzi said last week after the win against Syracuse. “I would imagine he’d be up for the Lou Groza. They should just give it to him mid-season. He’s automatic from 57, 58. Doesn’t matter where you put him. He’s been outstanding this entire season.”
Ben Sauls has connected on 48-of-60 field goal attempts (80%), and he’s taken his game to new heights this season. He should be firmly on the NFL radar following the season.
