University of Minnesota Athletics
Top Kickers: Golden Gophers Dan Nystrom and Preston Gruening
9/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Gruening, who pulls double duty as both the punter and the holder for Nystrom's kicks, became Minnesota's first punter to earn first-team All-America honors after leading the nation with a 44.5 yard average during the regular season. He was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's top punter. He is the top returning candidate for that honor and already has been selected as a pre-season All-American by numerous publications.
Nystrom tied the Big Ten record last year for field goals in a season with 25 and was one point shy of the conference mark in kick scoring with 109 points. The junior from New Hope, Minn., also finished third in the nation in kick scoring. The two-time semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award, which goes to the nation's top kicker, is on his way to rewriting the Minnesota record book for kickers. Both the 109 points and 25 field goals set school records.
"The records are fun and an added bonus, but I'm just trying to go out there and help the team the best I can," Nystrom said. "I'm always looking to help the team instead of making the mistake that could hurt us. The records are secondary as long as we're winning games. If I'm doing my job and we're winning, I'll be happy."
Along with sophomore snapper Peter Prudden, Gruening and Nystrom, both of whom are juniors, comprise one of the best kicking units in the nation.
"Over the last two years Peter, Dan and I have taken thousands of snaps," Gruening said. "The expectations are high and there is no reason why we shouldn't have success. Kicking involves a lot of rhythm and comfort and the three of us are very close so that helps."
Gruening, who originally came to Minnesota as a kicker, had never held for kicks before and heading into spring practice in 2000 the Minnesota coaching staff were looking at a number of players to fulfill the role. Even though no one stood out, certainly not Gruening even by his own account, he worked hard through the spring and summer camps to become a very capable holder.
"I think the coaches had their doubts about my hands," Gruening said. "I was in a situation that I could help the team by doing something extra. I just took a lot of snaps and by the end of Spring I was okay. I've acquired a love for it and I know Dan likes me holding and I don't think the coaches worry about it too much."
Another problem facing the right-handed Gruening was that it was necessary to hold with his left hand.
"Holding is pretty technical," Gruening said. "I know that sounds funny, but the whole thing happens in 1.2 to 1.3 seconds, so you have to have it down."
In the 13 games that the threesome have been teaming up for field goals and extra points, Gruening has handled every snap.
"I hope it stays that way," Gruening said. "I've told Peter that I don't expect every snap to be perfect, so it's my job to catch it and get it down no matter what. A couple of times I've almost had to stand up to catch it, but both times Dan made the kick."
With Prudden's accurate snaps and Gruening's dependable holds, Nystrom broke his own school record of points in a season by scoring seven points against Iowa in the regular season finale, giving him a season total of 97. He increased that total to 109 with 12 points in the Micronpc.com Bowl that included a 3-for-3 performance on field goals. Nystrom also has the school record of 14 consecutive field goals, with a career-high 52-yard field goal at Purdue.
As a freshman, Nystrom played in all 12 games, being named to the All-America Freshman second team by The Sporting News. He also earned All-Big Ten honorable mention laurels by both the coaches and media after scoring 92 points, which set a then-school record. The season was highlighted by drilling a 32-yard, game-winning field goal to upset then second-ranked Penn State.
Even as impressive as Nystrom has been, it has been Gruening who has received the lion's share of the attention this season. Among the publications that named Gruening a preseason first-team All-American was Playboy.
Last May, Gruening had the opportunity to travel to a resort outside of Phoenix, Arizona for a weekend for the All-American photo shoot. "It was a great experience," Gruening said. "It will be something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Obviously I know that Playboy is a prestigious magazine and to be featured in there is overwhelming."
The preseason All-Americans had numerous events to keep them entertained ranging from a football skills test among players to golf to a carnival. They also had the opportunity to go horseback riding and tubing down a local river.
"The whole trip was very classy and had a football focus, despite what people may think," Gruening said.
The relationship between Nystrom and Gruening dates back to their days prior to becoming Golden Gopher teammates. The summer before Gruening's senior and Nystrom's junior years of high school, the two attended the Minnesota Kicking Camp.
"I definitely remember Dan," Gruening said. "He was my main competition. When you're at those camps, you want to be the best, not just one of the best, because coaches aren't looking to give more than one kicker a scholarship. I was kind of surprised when they offered Dan a scholarship the following year, but I was pretty inconsistent my freshman year and the coaches had their doubts."
After redshirting his first season at Minnesota, Gruening lost the battle for the kicker position to Nystrom and solely handled the kickoff duties two years ago.
"It's hard to punt, kick and kick off," Gruening said. "I'm the luckiest guy on the planet. I've won the punting job and I have two more years to do it. Dan is a great kicker and we can concentrate on our jobs."
After his initial struggles, Gruening's success last season came as a surprise to the coaches and to even himself.
"Last year, I kind of came out of nowhere and all I really wanted to do was win the punting job," Gruening said. "I never expected to have the success I did, I was surprised as everyone else. The fans, along with my teammates and coaches are expecting a lot of me."
This year, Gruening is off to an impressive start. In the season opener at Toledo, the Schofield, Wis., native had seven punts for a 40 yard average with a long of 47. Against the Rockets, the Minnesota offense struggled to move the ball forcing Gruening on to the field more than what he would like.
"I hope we don't have to punt that much again this year," Gruening said. "I would have no problem if I punted zero times in a game, but if I have to I'll go out there and do my job."
Even though Nystrom made his only PAT in the Toledo game, he did miss his sole field goal attempt, while Gruening was not particularly pleased with his performance. Things should improve as the Gophers return to the friendly environment of the Metrodome.
"I like kicking in the Dome," Gruening said. "The conditions are perfect and you don't have to worry about slipping on the turf when you plant your foot."
No matter in what venue Gruening will be punting at this season, he plans on improving his net average. Gruening said that he and the Golden Gopher punt team will be working hard on pinning opponents inside their 10-yard line this season. Last year, he dropped 13 punts inside the 20-yard line, all of which were downed.
"Last year I had good distance, but I need more hang time and concentrate on keeping the ball out of the end zone," Gruening said. "Most return guys stand on the 10 and if the ball goes over their head they let it go. I have to aim for the corner and hope for a good bounce or have the hit men get down there and stop it."
Certainly, the Golden Gophers will be in numerous close ball games this season where the kicking game will play in crucial role. Whether it is pinning the opponent deep in their own territory or making the critical kick, you can be assured that Nystrom and Gruening will be there to answer the call. It is often said that the kicking game will be a major variable in the outcome of a football game. That is one area that the Gold Country faithful can feel quite at ease. In punter Preston Gruening and kicker Dan Nystrom, the Golden Gophers have arguably the best kicking tandem in the nation with both coming off strong seasons in 2000.
Gruening, who pulls double duty as both the punter and the holder for Nystrom's kicks, became Minnesota's first punter to earn first-team All-America honors after leading the nation with a 44.5 yard average during the regular season. He was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's top punter. He is the top returning candidate for that honor and already has been selected as a pre-season All-American by numerous publications.
Nystrom tied the Big Ten record last year for field goals in a season with 25 and was one point shy of the conference mark in kick scoring with 109 points. The junior from New Hope, Minn., also finished third in the nation in kick scoring. The two-time semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award, which goes to the nation's top kicker, is on his way to rewriting the Minnesota record book for kickers. Both the 109 points and 25 field goals set school records.
"The records are fun and an added bonus, but I'm just trying to go out there and help the team the best I can," Nystrom said. "I'm always looking to help the team instead of making the mistake that could hurt us. The records are secondary as long as we're winning games. If I'm doing my job and we're winning, I'll be happy."
Along with sophomore snapper Peter Prudden, Gruening and Nystrom, both of whom are juniors, comprise one of the best kicking units in the nation.
"Over the last two years Peter, Dan and I have taken thousands of snaps," Gruening said. "The expectations are high and there is no reason why we shouldn't have success. Kicking involves a lot of rhythm and comfort and the three of us are very close so that helps."
Gruening, who originally came to Minnesota as a kicker, had never held for kicks before and heading into spring practice in 2000 the Minnesota coaching staff were looking at a number of players to fulfill the role. Even though no one stood out, certainly not Gruening even by his own account, he worked hard through the spring and summer camps to become a very capable holder.
"I think the coaches had their doubts about my hands," Gruening said. "I was in a situation that I could help the team by doing something extra. I just took a lot of snaps and by the end of Spring I was okay. I've acquired a love for it and I know Dan likes me holding and I don't think the coaches worry about it too much."
Another problem facing the right-handed Gruening was that it was necessary to hold with his left hand.
"Holding is pretty technical," Gruening said. "I know that sounds funny, but the whole thing happens in 1.2 to 1.3 seconds, so you have to have it down."
In the 13 games that the threesome have been teaming up for field goals and extra points, Gruening has handled every snap.
"I hope it stays that way," Gruening said. "I've told Peter that I don't expect every snap to be perfect, so it's my job to catch it and get it down no matter what. A couple of times I've almost had to stand up to catch it, but both times Dan made the kick."
With Prudden's accurate snaps and Gruening's dependable holds, Nystrom broke his own school record of points in a season by scoring seven points against Iowa in the regular season finale, giving him a season total of 97. He increased that total to 109 with 12 points in the Micronpc.com Bowl that included a 3-for-3 performance on field goals. Nystrom also has the school record of 14 consecutive field goals, with a career-high 52-yard field goal at Purdue.
As a freshman, Nystrom played in all 12 games, being named to the All-America Freshman second team by The Sporting News. He also earned All-Big Ten honorable mention laurels by both the coaches and media after scoring 92 points, which set a then-school record. The season was highlighted by drilling a 32-yard, game-winning field goal to upset then second-ranked Penn State.
Even as impressive as Nystrom has been, it has been Gruening who has received the lion's share of the attention this season. Among the publications that named Gruening a preseason first-team All-American was Playboy.
Last May, Gruening had the opportunity to travel to a resort outside of Phoenix, Arizona for a weekend for the All-American photo shoot. "It was a great experience," Gruening said. "It will be something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Obviously I know that Playboy is a prestigious magazine and to be featured in there is overwhelming."
The preseason All-Americans had numerous events to keep them entertained ranging from a football skills test among players to golf to a carnival. They also had the opportunity to go horseback riding and tubing down a local river.
"The whole trip was very classy and had a football focus, despite what people may think," Gruening said.
The relationship between Nystrom and Gruening dates back to their days prior to becoming Golden Gopher teammates. The summer before Gruening's senior and Nystrom's junior years of high school, the two attended the Minnesota Kicking Camp.
"I definitely remember Dan," Gruening said. "He was my main competition. When you're at those camps, you want to be the best, not just one of the best, because coaches aren't looking to give more than one kicker a scholarship. I was kind of surprised when they offered Dan a scholarship the following year, but I was pretty inconsistent my freshman year and the coaches had their doubts."
After redshirting his first season at Minnesota, Gruening lost the battle for the kicker position to Nystrom and solely handled the kickoff duties two years ago.
"It's hard to punt, kick and kick off," Gruening said. "I'm the luckiest guy on the planet. I've won the punting job and I have two more years to do it. Dan is a great kicker and we can concentrate on our jobs."
After his initial struggles, Gruening's success last season came as a surprise to the coaches and to even himself.
"Last year, I kind of came out of nowhere and all I really wanted to do was win the punting job," Gruening said. "I never expected to have the success I did, I was surprised as everyone else. The fans, along with my teammates and coaches are expecting a lot of me."
This year, Gruening is off to an impressive start. In the season opener at Toledo, the Schofield, Wis., native had seven punts for a 40 yard average with a long of 47. Against the Rockets, the Minnesota offense struggled to move the ball forcing Gruening on to the field more than what he would like.
"I hope we don't have to punt that much again this year," Gruening said. "I would have no problem if I punted zero times in a game, but if I have to I'll go out there and do my job."
Even though Nystrom made his only PAT in the Toledo game, he did miss his sole field goal attempt, while Gruening was not particularly pleased with his performance. Things should improve as the Gophers return to the friendly environment of the Metrodome.
"I like kicking in the Dome," Gruening said. "The conditions are perfect and you don't have to worry about slipping on the turf when you plant your foot."
No matter in what venue Gruening will be punting at this season, he plans on improving his net average. Gruening said that he and the Golden Gopher punt team will be working hard on pinning opponents inside their 10-yard line this season. Last year, he dropped 13 punts inside the 20-yard line, all of which were downed.
"Last year I had good distance, but I need more hang time and concentrate on keeping the ball out of the end zone," Gruening said. "Most return guys stand on the 10 and if the ball goes over their head they let it go. I have to aim for the corner and hope for a good bounce or have the hit men get down there and stop it."
Certainly, the Golden Gophers will be in numerous close ball games this season where the kicking game will play in crucial role. Whether it is pinning the opponent deep in their own territory or making the critical kick, you can be assured that Nystrom and Gruening will be there to answer the call.
