NORMAN — In a thrilling announcement, OU kicker Tate Sandell has been honored with the prestigious Lou Groza Award, recognizing him as the nation’s best kicker. The announcement came following his impressive performances through the regular season, where he outshone notable finalists, including Kansei Matsuzawa from Hawaii and Georgia Tech’s Aidan Birr.
Sandell, who transferred from UTSA, delivered an exceptional performance for the Sooners, successfully converting 23 out of 24 field-goal attempts, marking an astounding accuracy rate. His remarkable streak of 23 consecutive successful attempts has set a new record for both the program and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for a single season.
In addition to the Lou Groza Award, Sandell was honored as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and earned a spot on the first team All-SEC list. His prowess on the field has established him as a formidable force, especially known for his powerful kicks; he completed 7 of 7 attempts from beyond 50 yards and achieved a perfect 10 of 10 from 45 yards.
The significance of Sandell’s contributions was notably recognized by OU head coach Brent Venables, who referred to him as the Most Valuable Player during the Sooners’ road victory against Tennessee. Sandell impressed fans and spectators alike by hitting two field goals from 55 yards, along with a 51-yarder and another from 40 yards.
Reflecting on the recognition of possibly winning a national award, Sandell expressed humility, stating, “It’s just about winning games and making kicks; that’s just a byproduct of our work. If that happens, that’s great.”
As the Sooners prepare for their upcoming game against Alabama on December 19 at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, the spotlight will certainly be on Sandell, whose talents and achievements have brought excitement and pride to the OU football program.
