Auburn has struggled to score touchdowns in the red zone at times this year, but the team's loss has often been kicker Daniel Carlson's gain.
Carlson was one of 20 college kickers named a Lou Groza Award semifinalist Thursday morning. The award is given annually to the best place kicker in college football.
Carlson has connected on all 24 of his extra-point attempts and on 14 of his 17 field goal attempts this season, tying for 11th in the NCAA in made field goals.
The sophomore has also made four field goals of over 50 yards this season, which leads the NCAA and is an Auburn school record.
Carlson has also been effective on kickoffs, recording 33 touchbacks on 40 attempts.
"From a coaching staff standpoint, we have a lot of confidence in him when [the ball] crosses the 30 or 35 yard line," coach Gus Malzahn said on Tuesday. "He has a high success rate. ... If you look at the kickoffs too, he has to be one of the best place kickers in college football. I think at the end of the year, everybody will see him up for all of those awards, and I think that will be very warranted."
Three finalists for the award will be selected with votes from FBS coaches, sports information directors, former Groza Award winners and national college football writers. The winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.
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