MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois junior kicker Pat Smith (Quincy/Notre Dame) was named one of 10 finalists for the 2012 Fred Mitchell Award.  The winner will be announced on December 11th, and will be honored on February 18, 2013 at the National Football Foundation Chicago Chapter Awards Ceremony.

The Fred Mitchell Award is provided to the Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, NAIA or NJCAA place-kicker that excels on the football field and in the community. Smith is one of two kickers from the FCS, and the only representative from the state of Illinois.

Smith finished the year as the national leader in field goal percentage, going 10-for-10. He has made 11 consecutive field goals dating back to last year, one shy of the program record, and became the only kicker in Western history to finish the year perfect in field goals. Smith also went 11-for-11 in extra points this season. His 41 points this year led the Leathernecks.

During the season-opener he kicked three field goals in the win over Butler, matching a personal-high, then the following week kicked a career-long 46-yard FG against Indianapolis. In addition to his place kicking, Smith also gained 46 yards this year on three rushing attempts, and completed an 11-yard pass. On his kickoffs, Smith averaged 59 yards on his 33 attempts.

He was twice noted this season for his performance by the Mitchell Award during September and October. Last week he was voted Honorable Mention Academic All-Missouri Valley Football Conference. Off the field, Smith is a volunteer with his family with the Sammy Fund in Quincy. He has volunteered his time with Special Olympics, Relay for Life, Jump Rope for Heart, and participated in the Rocky's Reach program in the Macomb schools.

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