Gophers' Carpenter Named Big Ten Kicker Of The Year

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Football awards were handed out Tuesday by the Big Ten Conference, and Minnesota's kicker got a big one.

Sophomore Emmit Carpenter was named the league's Kicker of the Year and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and second team selection by coaches. He made 21 of 23 field goals for the Gophers in the regular season and also made 41 extra points.

The 21 field goals tied for most in the Big Ten and ranked seventh nationally. He scored 104 points for Minnesota this year, second in program history to Dan Nystrom, who scored 109 in 2000.

Junior defensive tackle Steven Richardson was selected third-team All-Big Ten. He made 30 tackles this year and led Minnesota with 11 tackles for a loss and seven sacks.

Jonathan Celestin, Scott Ekpe, Jalen Myrick, Jack Lynn and Damarius Travis were selected All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. Celestin led the Gophers with 79 tackles, including 52 solo tackles.