NC State kicker Christopher Dunn enjoying excellent senior year
NC State kicker Christopher Dunn has been in the zone this season, making all 11 of his field-goal attempts.
Dunn made all four field goals, including tying his career long of 53 yards, to help the Wolfpack top Florida State 19-17 on Saturday. He has made 11 field goals against the Seminoles in five years of kicking, and his 27-yarder with 6:33 left in the game proved to be the winning points Saturday.
Dunn was named the ACC specialist of the week and the Lou Groza Award stars of the week for his efforts.
“All the hard work and all the sacrifices and investments I’ve made from Jan. 1 to now, that is the proof in the pudding,” Dunn said.
Dunn’s worth is even more important if redshirt junior quarterback Devin Leary misses any games with his shoulder injury. The Wolfpack offense knows that any time it can get to the opposing team’s 37-yard line or closer, there is a chance Dunn will make it.
“I feel like I am getting into my zone more than years in the past,” Dunn said. “I feel like it is just getting to a spot where you feel confident in yourself.”
Dunn enters the Syracuse game going 80-of-97 on field-goal attempts and he’s made all 190 extra points. The former Lexington (N.C.) North Davidson High product was brought in by coach Dave Doeren to solve the Wolfpack’s kicking woes for the 2018 season, and he had a banner freshman year, going 23 of 26 on field goals.
Syracuse kicker Andre Szmyt has been a worthy adversary over the last five years. He’s made 75-of-90 field goals with a long of 54, and 181 of 185 extra points.
Dunn will always have the thrill of last year’s onside kick and recovery against North Carolina in the big comeback win. Making a 53-yard is pretty cool in its own right.
“Every time I go out and kick at Carter-Finley Stadium honestly,” Dunn said. “People cheer and it is an amazing feeling and an adrenaline rush. I am just trying to soak up every moment that I can with the year I have left. I don’t know if this will be last year playing or not.”
Dunn has also noticed that the music of Australian musician Timmy Trumpet is getting played before he tries a field goal. The “Narco” song took on a new meaning due to the success of New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz this season.
“I started realizing that the last game,” Dunn said. “I had three-four people come up and I’ve been looking it up on YouTube. It’s pretty sweet and I love it. I’m very grateful for that.”
Dunn feels the appreciation of his teammates. He knows the flip side to that where the 4-8 2019 squad didn’t have the best of team chemistry.
“It means everything and I love the guys on this team and the culture that we have built here at State over the last 2 1/2 years,” Dunn said. “I wouldn’t change it for the world.
“I was on a team where we won three-four games my sophomore year, and we had a lot of selfish guys back then. Coach Doeren has done a great job of bringing guys in that support guys full-heartedly.”
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