Kai Forbath has worked with Chris Sailer Kicking since 9th Grade.  Kai kicked for Notre Dame H.S. (CA).  Other kickers that kicked for Notre Dame (Chris Sailer 95', Nick Folk 02', and Erik Folk 07')

UCLA Place-Kicker Kai Forbath Wins the Lou Groza Award

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (December 11, 2009) – During last night’s live Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced UCLA place-kicker Kai Forbath as the winner of the 2009 national Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award.

“I am honored to be the recipient of the 18^th annual Lou Groza Award,” said Forbath.  “I’d like to thank the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and the Lou Groza Committee for this opportunity.  I plan to work hard and hope to be back here next year.

Forbath, a junior from Pacific Palisades, California, enjoyed a successful season making 26 of his 29 field goal attempts which was second in the nation and was a perfect 23 of 23 from inside fifty yards.  Dating back to last season, he has made 35 straight field goals inside the fifty.  He also connected on 3 of 6 attempts of fifty yards or farther and kicked four field goals in a game twice this season.  His 283 career points rank fifth all-time on the Bruins scoring list, while his 9 field goals from 50 yards or farther are a UCLA record.

Forbath beat out Alabama’s Leigh Tiffin and Georgia’s Blair Walsh for the award. Tiffin led all Football Bowl Subdivision kickers with 29 made field goals, while Walsh hit 19 of 21 kicks this year, including an FBS-leading 4 from fifty yards or farther.

Forbath is the first Bruin to win the Groza in the 18 year history of the award and the fourth kicker from the Pac-10 joining Arizona State’s Thomas Weber (2007), Oregon State’s Alexis Serna (2005) and University of Arizona’s Steve McLaughlin (1994).  The national panel of voters is comprised of college football media, FBS division coaches, past winners and conference officials.