By JON KASPER of the Missoulian
For the first time this millennium Saturday someone other than Chris Snyder will kickoff, try a point after attempt or a field goal for the Montana Grizzlies.
Helena's Dan Carpenter is ready for the spotlight. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound true freshman won a close battle with sophomore Paul Cahill during preseason drills, earning the right to replace Snyder.
"It's a great feeling,'' Carpenter said. "Me and Paul have just been battling it out. I guess I've earned my start here. I'm just going to go out and give it my best shot.''
Carpenter earned first team all-state honors as a kicker and a punter for the Bengals last season. He made 26-of-29 PATs and also made five field goals. Carpenter drilled a school-record 53-yarder to highlight his campaign.
He didn't ask to wear the same number as Snyder, who also started as a true freshman in 2000.
"This is what I was issued,'' Carpenter said. "It's kind of nice, but at the same time it's kind of like I've got big shoes to fill. I'm just going to give it my best shot and hope it turns out well.''
Snyder left Montana as the Division I-AA record-holder for points scored by a kicker with 392. Snyder, who was recently cut by the Detroit Lions, holds a plethora of records including points in a season (124), most field goals in a season (25), most field goals in a game (four), longest field goal (57 yards), most career field goals (70) and most extra points (182).
As a true freshman in 2000, Snyder made 13 of 21 field goals and 39-of-42 extra points. Montana coach Bobby Hauck would certainly take those kinds of numbers from Carpenter.
"He gets good elevation on the ball and he's got a strong leg for a young guy,'' Hauck said of Carpenter.
One adjustment Carpenter had to make was kicking without a tee, which isn't allowed in the college game. Carpenter and Hauck said it hasn't been much of an issue.
"He gets good elevation on it and that's probably the thing you notice the most from a guy who is transferring from a tee to the ground,'' Hauck said. "He kicked a lot in the past year and off the ground. I don't think it's been too big of a transition for him. We haven't really addressed it because it hasn't been an issue.''
Carpenter made two of his five field goal attempts in the public scrimmage, while Cahill, a Billings West graduate, made three of five. Hauck said Carpenter made a better percentage in the kicks tracked during game situations over the course of preseason camp.
"As is the case with any position, the guy has to make kicks, or we'll let the other players have a chance once we get into the season,'' Hauck said.
Both could see action in the home games, but it is unlikely Hauck will take two kickers to road games because of the limit placed on travel rosters.
Carpenter said he's struggled a little bit with his right to left kicks in the preseason.
"I've been working on that real hard in the last week,'' he said. "By game day, I should be ready.''
Carpenter said he excited to kick in front of 23,000 fans against a nationally-ranked team in his collegiate debut.
"It should be awesome,'' he said. "I've been to those games before and I have to say there is no other atmospheres (that compare).''
Sophomore cornerback Chris Clark, who started several games as a true freshman down the stretch last season, will have to redshirt this season.
The Montana coaching staff recently learned the 5-11, 175-pound sophomore failed to complete summer course work and is academically ineligible.
"Chris is going to end up redshirting and get his academics straightened out,'' Hauck said. "We're talking about a position where we are not very deep. Next to the offensive line it's probably the position with the least amount of depth on our team. That takes its toll, but we've played freshmen before and we'll play them again.''
Junior Kevin Edwards will start on one side at cornerback, while sophomore Tuff Harris will get the nod on the other side. Junior Chris Polhemus, who started against Maine last season, will see reps. Hauck also said 5-11, 175-pound true freshman Jimmy Wilson will see action.
Reporter Jon Kasper can be reached at 523-5247 or by e-mail at jkasper@missoulian.com.
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