North Carolina State University Athletics
CARR: 'The Kick' Still Flies 20 Years Later
11/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 17, 2010
Burning Down the (Out) House
There's No Crying on Senior Day
From the First 99 Games
BY A.J. CARR
RALEIGH, N.C. - The goal posts towered in the distance, 56 yards downfield.
That was out of range for some kickers. But not for Damon Hartman on Sept. 29, 1990, not against rival North Carolina and with the outcome riding on his leg.
Score was tied. One second remaining. Suspense swirling. Tension mounting. Shouldering all that weight, Hartman measured his steps, sent the ball on a high, straight flight pattern and watched it descend over the crossbar to give NC State a 12-9 victory at UNC's Kenan Stadium.
It was Hartman's fourth field goal of the day and 20 years later people are still talking about "The Kick," the game-winner and longest FG in State history. Recently in Sarnac Lake, N.Y., where Hartman works with Upland Forestry Company, folks reminded him again of that dramatic moment.
"It's funny how it's followed me, being in Northern New York," Hartman said, as if surprised he still hasn't been outrun by fleeting fame. "I ran across a guy I had worked with in North Carolina and he mentioned it. One of our pastors (at Lake Placid Baptist Church) found it on Youtube and told me about it."
With the Wolfpack playing North Carolina in Chapel Hill again Saturday, chances are Hartman will turn-back-the-clock and re-kick that field goal in his mind. After all, it was a euphoric moment worth savoring.
Play it again, Damon
That game exactly 20 years ago was defensive duel. Neither team could muster a touchdown. According to Raleigh's News & Observer, there were 17 punts, 6 fumbles and 3 interceptions.
To prevail, State needed a defiant defense, hustle, heart -- and lots of Hartman.
He converted his first three field goal attempts from 45, 40 and 44 yards, staking the Pack to a 9-6 lead. But with about four minutes remaining, Hartman missed a 44-yarder, opening the door for Carolina to square the score.
So with less than a minute remaining, UNC's Clint Gwaltney made it 9-9 on a 21-yard FG.
Clock ticking, State got the ball back on a do-or-tie possession. A pass interference call against Carolina and the passing of quarterback Charles Davenport pushed the Pack across midfield.
With one second left, State called time out and pondered its options. Specialist coach Henry Trevathan suggested "our best chance is a desperation field goal." Head Coach Dick Sheridan concurred and, once more, hung its hopes on Hartman.
"I was a little disappointed,'' Hartman remembered thinking of his previous miss. "I hated for this to go down as a tie."
He had never attempted a 56-yarder under game fire and typically practiced long field goals in the 45-50 yard range. So with one tick - and one kick - left he had to block out the past miss, stay poised, stick with his routine.
"I knew I could kick it that far,'' said Hartman, who had booted a 54-yarder in a 1988 victory over UNC. "I had to focus just to make good contact," yet didn't want to over-kick.
Center Miller Lawson, holder Terry Jordan, and Hartman worked in concert. Snap. Spot. Thump!
"It felt pretty good, good enough to get it there," Hartman recalled. "I looked up. It was going through. Obviously, it was the highlight of my career."
A "pro kick," Trevathan called it.
Kicks and more
A standout soccer player in high school, Hartman came to State as a walk-on with an athlete's foot and kicked opponents many times.
He converted 48 of his 75 career field goal attempts, made 97 of 101extra point tries and enjoyed four straight victories over Carolina.
But late in his career, the NCAA threw out a new challenge. Kickers had to boot the ball off the ground instead of a tee.
"He was on course to set every record at NC State, I thought,'' Trevathan said. "He was good, good as any. The year we went from the tee to the ground affected Damon. He had pro potential, but going to the ground affected him."
Despite going 12-for-22 on field goals his senior year in 1991, Hartman still ranks high among the plethora of standout Wolfpack placekickers and treasures his time at State.
"I have fond memories of my career; college football was one of the highlights of my life," he said. "I learned a lot of life lessons in football from Coach (Dick) Sheridan and his staff."
Such as?
"Looking presentable, getting a haircut, being 10 minutes early, saying yes sir and no sir; how to accept winning, how to accept losing,'' said Hartman, who still avidly follows the Pack. "I think I'm a lot better person because of the things (Sheridan) taught me."
Hartman married a State graduate (Danielle) and an ardent Wolfpack fan. They have two children and Hartman says he tries to emphasize Sheridan's points to his 10-year old daughter Hayden, a figure skater, and 12-year old Bryce, who plays multiple sports.
After slipping out of shape following his NCSU career, Hartman also is an active athlete again these days, competing in triathlons.
Conditioning required for that swim, bike and run challenge revs up his memories of Trevathan.
"He was a structured man, structured in his personal life, the way he coached,'` Hartman said. "I took (away) a lot of the things he said. He wanted us to stay in physical shape even though we were kickers. Doing triathlons has me thinking about Coach T a lot. He still inspires me..."
Meanwhile, two decades later, Trevathan and Wolfpack old timers still fondly remember Hartman - especially when rehashing dramatic victories over North Carolina.
