FARGO-It's hard to fathom in this day and age of massive internet communication, but there are no kicking statistics for North Dakota State freshman kicker Cam Pedersen in his senior year in high school. That's because there are none.
He missed the entire year after tearing his ACL before the season. Moreover, Pedersen played only about half his junior year at Eau Claire Regis High School in Wisconsin because of a broken collarbone. But here he is, a few days before the Bison home opener against Weber State (Utah), and Pedersen is in the mix to be the Bison kicker.
"I'm kind of lucky I'm here at all," he said.
Bison head coach Chris Klieman opened the door earlier this week when he said Pedersen, a walk-on, would have his redshirt pulled and compete with senior Ben LeCompte for part, if not all, of the kicking jobs. LeCompte, on his fourth year as the Bison starting punter, also assumed the kicking duties this fall after the graduation of record-setting kicker Adam Keller.
Pedersen's connection to NDSU mainly came through the Bison summer football camp, where he said he had a good performance. He recovered from the collarbone injury as a high school junior when, as a safety, got hurt making a tackle on an opposing offensive player.
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Then, playing quarterback in an intrasquad scrimmage before the first game of his senior year, he tore his ACL. He's fully recovered from that, also.
"I tore my ACL and I didn't have my sights set too high," Pedersen said. "Then it worked out to come here. I've always felt confident in my leg. I've always felt I was good enough, but there was just not enough exposure being hurt."
He did not receive a scholarship offer from anybody. He was perfect on extra-point kicks and was 5 of 7 on field goals his junior year with a long of 40 yards. He averaged 60 yards on kickoffs. His range on field goals now, he said, could extend to 55 yards if needed.
On Wednesday, Pedersen said there was no decision yet on his status for Saturday against Weber at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome. He traveled to the season opener at Montana two weeks ago with junior Tom Barneson, another backup kicker, but did not play. Barneson left the team last week.
"Ben and I are both kicking well in practice and, if called on, I'll do whatever I need," Pedersen said. "I'm excited for the opportunity, just being a true freshman. I didn't think I was going to step into this position."
