As Brent Garber lined up the kick from what seemed like halfway across the universe against a fierce, driving rain, Denny Creehan wanted to scream “Stop!”

Creehan, the special teams coach at Duke, had more faith in his kicker, Garber, than anyone. But this was insanity. In 30 years around football, he’d seen nothing like it. A 56-yard field-goal attempt by a kicker who’d never hit from more than 50 in his college career.

And Garber would kick against a sleeting rain — one that was turning late summer into early winter — in that Aug. 31 game against East Carolina.

But Creehan bit his nails and watched as Garber nailed a low, line-drive kick through the uprights. So far, it’s the longest field goal made in college football this year.

“Ten years ago, you wouldn’t try for 56 yards in perfect weather,” Creehan said. “Ten years ago, not only do you not think about trying a kick like that, you don’t think about thinking about it.”

That’s because today’s high school kickers spend more time in weight rooms building the muscle and speed of their kicking legs in hopes of accruing scholarship offers. The result — stronger legs, longer kicks and befuddled coaches.

Through three weeks of football, Division I kickers have connected on 17 field goals from 50 yards or beyond. In 1992, D-I kickers only made 24 from that distance all season.

“It used to be nobody really knew much about kicking,” Creehan said. “Now, you’ve got so many experts, kids come to college ultra prepared.”

Many high school kickers spend time over the summer at kicking camps. A phenomenon that started in the 1970s has boomed in the last five years.

The Ray Guy Kicking Academy and Ben Agajanian Kicking Camp are the two biggest. Both travel from city to city throughout the summer, holding more than 15, two-day sessions.

Through his camps, Agajanian tutored about 1,400 kickers this summer. Mainly, the camps focus on tweaking fundamentals to prepare kickers for the college game.

In high school, kickers are allowed to use tees on field-goal attempts. In college, they have to kick off the ground.

“Before, kids would come in, try to kick it off the ground for the first time and lose 20 yards of distance,” Creehan said. “Now, they go to the camps and kicking off the ground becomes second nature.”

On Saturday against Syracuse, North Carolina kicker Dan Orner nailed three field goals from more than 50 yards in his collegiate debut.

Playing in his first game for Central Florida, true freshman Matt Pratter belted a 53-yarder.

Syracuse seems left behind in the trend. An Orangeman hasn’t made a 50-yard field goal since Nate Trout did it against Miami in 1998.

“Yeah, some teams haven’t benefitted so much yet,” Creehan said. “But all in all, kickers are getting better much faster. When you’ve got a group of guys who can hit from 55 yards, that makes close games even more exciting.”

Here are five of this weekend’s games, replete with analysis of the kickers — just in case one contest comes down to the last minute.

Rhode Island (+30) at Syracuse

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., No TV

The Rams visit the Carrier Dome a week after losing big at Hofstra. Even a half-full Dome — which can be expected against Division I-AA Rhode Island — has to be more intimidating than Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium, which packed in 3,333 last week.

But unlike Syracuse, Rhode Island has a win under its belt — a 28-0 drubbing of Bryant.

If this one comes down to a last-second field goal, it will be the most embarrassing moment in Syracuse football history. Plus, Rhode Island kicker Shane Laisle has a leg up on Syracuse’s Collin Barber. Laisle has hit a field goal this year. Barber missed the only one he attempted.

Our bet is Laisle hits a field goal to give Rhode Island the victory over the spread.

Pick: Syracuse 35, Rhode Island 6

No. 16 Marshall (+11.5) at No. 11 Virginia Tech

Thursday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Marshall quarterback and Heisman candidate Byron Leftwich has 27 completions for 469 yards and four touchdowns — and he’s only played one game.

For comparison, Syracuse quarterback R.J. Anderson has completed 12 passes for 199 yards in two games.

Virginia Tech tries to keep it on the ground with the running-back combo of Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones. Tech has rushed for 454 yards, crushing Arkansas State and Louisiana State by a combined score of 89-15.

Hokie kicker Carter Warley has made his only attempt of the year, a 41-yarder. Marshall kicker Curtis Head has made his only attempt, from 31. But neither field-goal kicker will factor in here. These two teams score touchdowns.

We wish we could bet on the over-under, but instead we’ll settle for Marshall.

Pick: Marshall 49, Virginia Tech 42

No. 8 Nebraska (-5.5) at Penn State

Saturday, 8 p.m., ABC

Penn State narrowly escaped Central Florida on Aug. 31, winning 27-24. The Cornhuskers are 3-0 and have yet to be challenged, rushing for 770 yards.

Nebraska’s Josh Brown has made 4 of 4 field goals. Penn State’s Robbie Gould hit twice from inside the 35, but missed a 48-yarder.

Happy Valley is a tough place to play, but Nebraska has breezed through the early season.

Pick: Nebraska 31, Penn St. 14

No. 7 Michigan (-3.5) at No. 20 Notre Dame

Saturday, 2:30 p.m., NBC

The two winningest football programs of all time, both currently undefeated, meet for the first time in three years.

Notre Dame first-year head coach Tyrone Willingham has his team at 2-0, but the offense has yet to score a touchdown.

Nick Setta has saved the lackluster offense more than a few times, nailing five field goals in the season opener, including a 51-yarder.

For Michigan, quarterback John Navarre has completed 60 percent of his passes for 450 yards. Kicker Philip Brabbs has been pathetic, making just one of five field goals, but the successful one beat Washington with no time remaining. Still, Setta’s leg could make a difference in this one.

Pick: Notre Dame 17, Michigan 14

No. 17 USC (+2.5) at No. 18 Colorado

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., NO TV

Colorado quarterback Craig Ochs will miss the next two games with a continuing concussion problem, leaving senior Robert Hodge to start.

After last year’s surprise season, CU has been shaky so far, losing to instate rival Colorado State and struggling in the first half before beating San Diego State. Kicker Patrick Brougham hasn’t helped, missing both of his field-goal tries.

USC, on the other hand, leaves for Boulder, Colo., already having defeated a legitimate team — Auburn. Plus, David Davis has made a field goal.

Pick: USC 20, Colorado 17

Published on September 10, 2002 at 12:00 pm