Marshall junior kicker Nick Smith was named to the 2016 Lou Groza Place-kicker Award Watch List Thursday by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. Three finalists will be named at a gala awards banquet in Palm Beach County on December 5.
Smith, a 2015 semifinalist for the award, made 18-of-25 field goal attempts last season, including 3-for-4 in Thundering Herd's 16-10 St. Petersburg Bowl victory over Connecticut. He was perfect on 48 PAT tries and his 102 points led the team. During one stretch, he converted 12 consecutive field goals, the second longest streak in program history to Craig Ratanamorn's 16 in 2008-09. Smith was also named to the 2015-16 Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Additionally, Marshall offensive tackle Clint Van Horn has been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, an award given to the nation's outstanding interior offensive or defensive lineman.
This is Van Horn's second time on the award's preseason list, also earning the distinction last season before missing most of the year due to injury. A two-time All-Conference USA honoree, the Beckley native has started 25 games for the program and was named to the league's 2015-16 Commissioner's Honor Roll a year ago.
Friday's announcement is the program's third watch list accommodation of the week. Tight end Ryan Yurachek was selected to the John Mackey Award list Wednesday.
Smith, a 2015 semifinalist for the award, made 18-of-25 field goal attempts last season, including 3-for-4 in Thundering Herd's 16-10 St. Petersburg Bowl victory over Connecticut. He was perfect on 48 PAT tries and his 102 points led the team. During one stretch, he converted 12 consecutive field goals, the second longest streak in program history to Craig Ratanamorn's 16 in 2008-09. Smith was also named to the 2015-16 Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Additionally, Marshall offensive tackle Clint Van Horn has been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, an award given to the nation's outstanding interior offensive or defensive lineman.
This is Van Horn's second time on the award's preseason list, also earning the distinction last season before missing most of the year due to injury. A two-time All-Conference USA honoree, the Beckley native has started 25 games for the program and was named to the league's 2015-16 Commissioner's Honor Roll a year ago.
Friday's announcement is the program's third watch list accommodation of the week. Tight end Ryan Yurachek was selected to the John Mackey Award list Wednesday.
