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University of Minnesota Athletics
Carpenter Named Lou Groza Award Semifinalist
11/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Carpenter Kicks His Way Into History // Unsung Heroes Help Carpenter
Minnesota sophomore kicker Emmit Carpenter was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl today. The award annually honors the top kicker in college.
Carpenter follows Ryan Santoso, who was named a semifinalist and a finalist (top 10) for the award last season. Santoso is now Minnesota's punter.
Carpenter has made 13-of-15 field goal this year and started the season - and his career - 9-for-9. His nine straight field goals rank tied for fifth in school history with Adam Bailey, who made nine straight in 1996.
Earlier this year, Carpenter made four field goals at Penn State to become only the fifth Gopher to make four or more field goals on the road. Adam Bailey made five at Penn State in 1997, while Brent Berglund made four at Purdue in 1990. Jim Gallery made four on the road in consecutive weeks at Indiana and Iowa in 1981.
Carpenter never attempted a field goal before this season. He has made 13 this year, which ties him for first in the Big Ten. The sophomore has not had many chip shots either. His shortest kick was from 24 yards and he has made two from 28 yards. His other 10 field goals have been 35 yards or greater and five of his field goals have been 42 yards or greater.
In addition to distance, Carpenter has been put in pressure situations as well. Seven of his field goals have come at the end of a half, game or in overtime. He made a 45-yards against Oregon State as time expired in the first half and was good from 42 yards against Indiana State as time expired at the half. He made a 28-yard attempt against Colorado State with 1:31 left in the half. At Penn State, he connected from 35 yards with one second left in the half, was good from 37 yards with 54 seconds left in the game and made a 46-yarder in overtime.
Carpenter connected from 28-yards with six seconds left in the game to beat Rutgers and notch his first game-winning field goal.
The Green Bay, Wis., native kicked his way into history against Indiana State when he connected from 42, 44 and 45 yards. Carpenter became the only kicker in Gopher history to make three 40+ field goals in one game.
Carpenter's unsung heroes are long snapper Payton Jordahl and holder Jacob Herbers.
