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The second of Utah's spectacular kicking tandem has been named to the Lou Groza Award watch list. Andy Phillips, a two time semifinalist for the award, joins Tom Hackett (Guy) as pre-season award watch list members as specialists. Phillips also joins Devontae Booker (Maxwell), Jared Norris (Badnarik) and Siaosi Aiono on watch lists.
Phillips, a two-time Lou Groza semifinalist, was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection last season. He was second in the nation in field goals made from 40+ yards (12). Phillips finished seventh nationally in field goals made per game (1.77) and his 23 total field goals tied for fourth in the nation and led the Pac-12. He set school record for both field goals made (23) and attempted (28) in a season. Phillips has made 40-of-48 (83.3%) of his career field goal attempts and is 21-of-26 (80.7%) in his career from 40+ yards while going 3-of-3 from 50+ yards with a career-long field goal of 51 yards.
Phillips has proven to be as reliable as any kicker in the country, and has proven to have a knack for on-side kicks (see Utah State 2013 and UCLA 2014).