When senior kicker and punter Eddy Carmona made the decision to join the Harding football team after transferring from the University of Central Arkansas, no one could have predicted the impact that he would have on the Bison team this season.
In last Saturday’s game against East Central Oklahoma, Carmona booted an incredible 62-yard field goal earning him the Great American Conference special teams player of the week for the second time this season.The Charleston, Ark., native cleared the uprights with ease in extremely windy conditions, which he used in his advantage with only seconds left on the clock going into halftime.
Although the Bisons lost the game 23–16 in overtime, the performance by Carmona was the highlight of the game.
“I was confident that I could make the field goal and I was also confident with the field goal team,” Carmona said.
Carmona also added a 73-yard punt to his resumé against East Central Saturday. The punt was the second longest in Harding’s history.
Saturday’s field goal is the fourth longest in NCAA history and the longest kick in the NCAA at any level this season.It was eight yards longer than the previous Harding record.
“It’s a special feeling,” Carmona said.”I’m really thankful that Coach [Ronnie Huckeba] gave me the chance to kick it first of all.And I appreciate the fact that all of the coaches and my teammates have confidence in me.I am very proud of the field goal team – deep snapper Darby Palmer, holder Alex Finley and the protection I get from the linemen. I couldn’t have done it without them.I’m really glad that everyone got to be a part of it.”
Carmona will graduate from Harding in May and plans to continue to put that leg to work at the next level.
“I’m really looking forward to graduating in May and also hoping that I get the chance to play professional football,” Carmona said.
