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Hildebrandt got his foot in the door Medford product is now the punter for No. 11 Dakota By KRIS HENRY Although unfair, a punter is typically only remembered for what went wrong. People mostly recount fumbled snaps or shanked punts that left the opposing team in prime position to score. Pooch punts inside the 20-yard line or arcing efforts to overtake field position simply don't leave spectators buzzing in their seats. Dan Hildebrandt is trying to change that, one kick at a time, as a junior at the University of North Dakota. The Medford resident and former St. Mary's High football and soccer standout is ranked 21st among Division II punters. Hildebrandt carries a 40.6 average on 22 punts heading into today's tilt with second-ranked Northern Colorado (6-0). Of those 22 punts, 12 have been downed inside the 20. "I've been doing a lot of pooch punting lately," says Hildebrandt. "It's not too thrilling, but I'm on a good team, so that's to be expected." The Fighting Sioux are 5-0 and ranked 11th among Division II squads. Today's tilt in Grand Forks, N.D., could go a long way toward North Dakota's bid for a national championship, and Hildebrandt knows an emphasis will be placed on special teams play. With the pressure potentially set to crash down over him, Hildebrandt exudes cool when discussing today's matchup with the nation's No. 2 squad. Real pressure came when he decided to transfer last year from Division III St. Olaf College. Despite racking up several Division III honors for punting, Hildebrandt wasn't assured of anything but the education of his dreams when he enrolled at North Dakota. "I didn't find a major I was interested in (at St. Olaf), and it didn't make any sense to just waste time there when I could be somewhere else," Hildebrandt says. Since his grandfather was a pilot, Hildebrandt always had it in the back of his mind to become one himself. With North Dakota offering a strong aviation program, the only question left for Hildebrandt was whether he could continue his punting career. He entered preseason camp third on the depth chart and improved into the top two as camp ended. Hildebrandt and a transfer from West Virginia shared duties in the first game of the season, then finances played a big role in determining the starter. With only enough money to fund one kicker on the traveling squad for the second game, North Dakota coach Dale Lennon opted for Hildebrandt. He's been the starter ever since. "It took a little bit of time and I almost quit," Hildebrandt says of his first experiences at North Dakota. "The first couple weeks weren't easy. It kind of got to me early, but it all panned out. I'm really happy with the way everything worked out." That's not to say he wouldn't like a little fine Southern Oregon weather to make its way up to Grand Forks. "North Dakota's not exactly the best place to punt," he says. "It's really cold and really windy. That puts a big dent in your numbers." Foul weather and a talented supporting cast may have cut into Hildebrandt's ability to break into the top 10 for Division II punters, but he wouldn't have it any other way. "I'm just happy to be playing," he says. "I was happy to make the team. That was the biggest thing for me." And now it's a big thing for the team. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.