Stefanou semifinalist for nation’s top kicker honor

Colorado freshman James Stefanou BOULDER has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou GrozaAward, presented annually to the nation’s top place- kicker.

Stefanou is 13- for- 15 on field- goal attempts this year and made nine in a row. He also is 28- for- 28 on extra- point attempts.

A former professional soccer player, the 30- year- old Stefanou is in his first year of American football. He is one of just two freshmen on the list of semifinalists.

“He’s a pretty good kicker,” coach Mike MacIntyre said after Stefanouwent 3- for- 3 on field goals in Saturday’s victory over California. “We got us a good one.”

Stefanou joinsWill Oliver ( 2013) and Mason Crosby ( 2005 and 2006) as the onlyCU kickers to be named semifinalists. Crosby was the runner- up for the award in 2005.

Eyeing the top.

Coming into this weekend’s game against Arizona State, CU senior running back Phillip Lindsay needs 112 yards to climb to second place on the school’s all- time rushing list.

Lindsay has 3,487 yards in his career, just 111 behind Rodney Stewart. Eric Bieniemy, a former All- American, leads with 3,940 yards— 453 more than Lindsay.

Senior wide receiver Shay Fields, meanwhile, ranks sixth on CU’s all- time list for receiving yards ( 2,420). He needs 129 yards to vault into second place.

Footnotes.

Cornerback Isaiah Oliver ( leg), center Jonathan Huckins ( concussion) and outside linebackers Tim Coleman ( ankle) and Terran Hasselbach ( concussion) are listed as day to day on the Buffaloes’ injury report. ... CU has forced at least one turnover in 34 consecutive regular- season games. Arizona State, meanwhile, has committed only seven turnovers all season. ... The Buffs remain mathematically alive for a share of the Pac- 12 South title, but in any case of a tie, they would lose the tiebreakers, according to CU. So, there officially will be no return trip to the Pac- 12 championship game for CU this year.