After a freshman campaign that saw him cement himself as Iowa’s kicker due to his accuracy and consistency, Iowa Hawkeyes kicker Drew Stevens will look to expand on that during the 2023 season.
Stevens’ ability to handle pressure last year was crucial for the Hawkeyes down the stretch of many games and his consistency gave the coaching staff trust to kick field goals. That combination has earned Stevens a spot on the Lou Groza Award Watch List. The award is given out annually to the nation’s best placekicker in college football.
Drew ➡️ Lou Groza Award Watch List@DrewTS7 x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/2D1nkXfeQQ
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) August 2, 2023
During the 2022 season, Drew Stevens was stellar for the Hawkeyes. He was automatic in converting 100% of his extra points, going 24-for-24. On field goal attempts, Stevens delivered a 16-for-18 performance for Iowa, converting nearly 89% of his tries. He had a long of 54 yards.
Stevens also proved he can handle the clutch moments when he converted the game-winning field goal against Minnesota with under a minute to go.
Last year saw Christopher Dunn of the NC State Wolfpack take home the award. Drew Stevens will look to join Nate Kaeding as another Iowa Hawkeyes kicker to capture the Lou Groza as Kaeding was presented the award in 2002.
Stevens’ first chance to make his mark will come on Sept. 2 when Iowa kicks off its season at home in front of a sellout crowd against Utah State. In an ideal world, Stevens is handling low-stress extra point duties much more often than long, late-game field goal attempts.
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