Attempting a last-second 45-yard field goal at the end of a recent Tulane practice, Cairo Santos did not kick the ball cleanly. It fluttered toward the goal post, hit the bottom of the cross bar and bounced back.

Good thing it was just practice. Santos remains perfect on 17 field-goal attempts in Green Wave games this year, one of several reasons he absolutely, positively has to be on the list of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award.

The finalists will be announced Monday, but the voting will take place Thursday. Through 10 games, Santos has the best leg in college football, hands down. To wit:

1)His 57-yard field goal on the last play of the first half against UAB is tied for the longest of the year with fellow Lou Groza semifinalist Chris Boswell of Rice.

2)He has converted 11 field goals of 40 yards or longer, two more than any other kicker in the nation.

3)No other kicker has made as many field goals without missing. Among the 20 Groza semifinalists, only two others are perfect -Alabama's Jeremy Shelley and San Jose State's Austin Lopez. Shelley has made 10, none from longer than 39 yards. Lopez has connected on 14 with a long of 43.

"In the games everything just clicks," said Santos, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil who played high school ball in Florida.

...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial