July 31, 2014

BEAUMONT, Texas - Sophomore kicker Alex Ball continues to draw more recognition in the lead up to the 2014 football season. The Westlake, Calif. native, has been named to the Fred Mitchell Award Watch list announced award officials. Ball is one of just 36 kickers named to award from the NCAA FCS, NCAA Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA levels, and comes less than a month after Ball was named to the CFPA Kicker Award Watch list.

The 2014 Fred Mitchell Award Watch list consists of seven players from the FCS level, 12 NCAA Div. II selections, 12 Division III kickers, three NAIA selections and two from the junior college ranks. Ball is one of only nine sophomores named to the list, and is the lone Southland Conference selection on the preseason list.

"Alex is a very talented kicker," said head coach Ray Woodard. "He took over the role midway through his freshman season and really had a great year. We are expect big things from this young man as we continue to move forward with our program. I really feel the sky is the limit for this young man."

Thrust into the spotlight midway through the season, Ball finished the year fourth on the team in scoring with 41 points, and didn't record a miss during the season. He was a perfect 20-of-20 on extra-point attempts, and 7-of-7 on field goals, including a perfect 3-of-3 from 40 yards or longer.

Ball took center stage in the win over rival Stephen F. Austin this past season. He was a perfect 4-of-4 against the Lumberjacks, and sealed the victory with a 41-yard kick with seconds remaining. The game-winning kick also gave Ball the LU single-game record for field goals.

A blue-ribbon panel of voters will select the winner at the end of the year based on their success on the field and in the community.

-LAMAR-