Given that he'd never kicked in a game before playing at Utah, Andy Phillips is not only a three-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist, he's never been anything BUT a Lou Groza Award semifinalist.
Fine, so he redshirted in 2012.
But Thursday, Phillips again made the final 20, having hit 12 of his last 13 field goal attempts after going 1-for-3 against Michigan in the opener.
Included in those is a career-long 53-yarder against USC, which Phillips knuckled between the uprights to remain perfect, 4-of-4, from beyond 50 yards.
The longtime U.S. Ski Team member is also a two-time captain, with another year of eligibility remaining.
Three finalists will be named Nov. 24, with the winner announced on Dec. 10.
— Matthew Piper
mpiper@sltrib.com
Twitter: @matthew_piper
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Utes place kicker Andy Phillips (39) misses a field goal attempt during the second half of the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium Thursday September 3, 2015. Utah defeated Michigan 24-17.
Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Utes place kicker Andy Phillips (39) celebrates his scoring kick in the second half with Utah Utes offensive lineman Isaac Asiata (54).University of Utah defeated Utah State 24-14 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Friday, September 11, 2015.
Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Utes PK Andy Phillips (39) yells as he celebrates kicking the clinching FG to give Utah 27-18 lead with 4:20 to go in the game. Utah defeated Arizona State 34-18, Saturday, October 17, 2015.
