Gators’ Sturgis earns weekly SEC, Groza honors

Posted Nov 2, 2009 by TBO.com

Updated Nov 2, 2009 at 12:05 PM

Florida sophomore kicker Caleb Sturgis, who hit a career-long 56-yard field goal in the first half against Georgia along with a a 44-yarder in a 41-17 win last Saturday, was named the SEC special teams player of the week Monday.

Sturgis was also named one of the Lou Groza National Collegiate Placekicker Award’s “Stars of the Week.”

College football’s top kicking award, the Lou Groza Award, recognizes three of the top kickers each week from FBS division teams. It is the second time this season that Sturgis has received the honor.

His 56-yarder was the second-longest field goal in school history and the longest field goal in the SEC this season.

His eight kickoffs helped hold Georgia to an average starting field position of its own 20-yard line for the game.

He is the only Gator since 1984 to connect on two field goals longer than 51 yards in the same season and is one of only four kickers to accomplish the feat in school history.

Is one of only six kickers in the nation to have two field goals of 51 yards or longer this season, and one of two in the SEC to accomplish the feat.