Unconquered

July 11, 2012

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In an announcement that comes as no surprise, Florida State's Dustin Hopkins is one of 30 kickers across college football to be included on the 2012 Lou Groza Award Watch List released Wednesday morning.

Hopkins, who enters his senior season at FSU just 68 points shy of tying Derek Schmidt's all-time Seminoles' record for points in a career with 393 and Nick Novak's Atlantic Coast Conference-record for most points (also 393), was one of three finalists for the Groza Award last year after becoming a semifinalist as a sophomore in 2010.

Hopkins' Groza-finalist junior campaign featured 22 of 27 field goals converted and booted 29 touchbacks to help Florida State lead the ACC in net kickoffs with a 48.6 average. Hopkins also made 44 of his 44 extra-point attempts last year and will start the 2012 season with a school-record streak of 130 consecutive made extra points to his credit.

For his career, the Houston, Texas, native has four field goals of at least 50 yards and 94 touchbacks.

Hopkins is the fifth FSU football player to be named to a watch list this preseason. On Monday, Brandon Jenkins, Lamarcus Joyner and Xavier Rhodes were named to the Bednarik Watch List and quarterback EJ Manuel was placed on the Maxwell Award Watch List.

Florida State players will report for fall camp Aug. 5 with the first practice of the 2012 season is scheduled for Aug. 6.

The 'Noles season opener is Sept. 1 at home against Murray State. To purchase tickets, click here or call 1-888-FSU-NOLE.