It has been quite the journey for Minnesota Gophers sophomore kicker Emmit Carpenter.
He was named the Big Ten’s Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year completing a season that has seen him go from virtual unknown to one of the top college football kickers in the country.
ICYMI: @Mit_Carp named Big Ten's best. https://t.co/TvXfWLILxq pic.twitter.com/tjRLTMpE0y
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 30, 2016
In addition to being the kicker of the year and All-Big Ten First Team, Carpenter is a semifinalist for the Lou Groza award which goes to the best kicker in the nation.
Carpenter became the first Gopher football player honored with this award. He’s also the first Minnesota player to receive an individual award since Peter Mortell (punter of the year) and Maxx Williams (tight end of the year) in 2014.
On the season he made 21-of-23 field goals and 41 extra point attempts scoring 104 points – the third highest single-season total in program history.
- Gary Russell, 2005 – 114 points
- Dan Nystrom, 2000 – 109 points
- Emmit Carpenter, 2016 – 104 points.
He could still climb up the list, Carpenter will kick in whatever bowl game the Gophers are selected to this season.
Additionally, Carpenter was a perfect 9-of-9 on field goals from 40 yards or greater this season and 2-of-2 on kicks of 50-plus yards.
It’s been quite a big difference for the Green Bay native, who’s only game action in 2015 was an onside kick attempt at TCU.
