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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Lucas Carneiro Named to Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List
8/7/2026 | Football
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach County Sports Commission unveiled their preseason watch list for the 2026 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award on Friday, selecting Ole Miss Rebel Lucas Carneiro to the 35-player tally.
A semifinalist for the award a season ago, Carneiro enters this season following a record-breaking performance in 2025. Earning First Team All-SEC honors, the Cornelius, N.C. native connected on an FBS-record-tying 31 field goals, including nine makes during the College Football Playoff.
Carneiro had one of the most impactful games in program history during the Sugar Bowl against No. 3 Georgia in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, booting a pair of bowl-record makes from 55 and 56 yards during the first quarter. He then lined up for a 47-yard attempt with the game tied at 34 and six seconds left on the clock, clearing the uprights to help clinch the victory for Ole Miss.
Carneiro's make of 58 yards in the CFP semifinal game in the Fiesta Bowl marked the longest field goal in school history since 1970. He was a perfect 56-56 on PAT's in 2025 and added 93 touchbacks on kickoffs.
Semifinalists for the 2026 Lou Groza Award will be announced on November 17, with finalists unveiled on November 24. The winner will be revealed as a part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10.
Coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance a season ago, the Ole Miss football team is set to kickoff the 2026 season on Sunday, September 6 against Louisville at 6:30 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
A semifinalist for the award a season ago, Carneiro enters this season following a record-breaking performance in 2025. Earning First Team All-SEC honors, the Cornelius, N.C. native connected on an FBS-record-tying 31 field goals, including nine makes during the College Football Playoff.
Carneiro had one of the most impactful games in program history during the Sugar Bowl against No. 3 Georgia in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, booting a pair of bowl-record makes from 55 and 56 yards during the first quarter. He then lined up for a 47-yard attempt with the game tied at 34 and six seconds left on the clock, clearing the uprights to help clinch the victory for Ole Miss.
Carneiro's make of 58 yards in the CFP semifinal game in the Fiesta Bowl marked the longest field goal in school history since 1970. He was a perfect 56-56 on PAT's in 2025 and added 93 touchbacks on kickoffs.
Semifinalists for the 2026 Lou Groza Award will be announced on November 17, with finalists unveiled on November 24. The winner will be revealed as a part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10.
Coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance a season ago, the Ole Miss football team is set to kickoff the 2026 season on Sunday, September 6 against Louisville at 6:30 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Players Mentioned
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