There are few question marks on special teams for Oregon’s football team as fall practices began today, with only the kicking job up for grabs after the graduation of Morgan Flint.
“Morgan’s a great kicker, he’s very accurate, he has some range on his foot, and he’s very consistent. It’s tough to see him go, just because I like Morgan as a person and I like him as a player,” quarterback and holder Nate Costa said, “but we’ve got so much talent behind him that I’m not really worried about that.”
Oregon’s competition at kicker is between redshirt sophomore Rob Beard, the kickoff and long-distance field goal specialist from last year’s Pacific-10 championship squad, and two true freshmen, Alejandro Maldonado and walk-on Eric Solis, who was mentioned as being in the mix by head coach Chip Kelly.
Beard was confident in his ability to win the job in spite of his suspension for Oregon’s opening game against New Mexico on Sept. 4 after a fight that landed him in intensive care and a charge for misdemeanor assault.
“If I control my position as the first kicker in fall camp, if I can show coaches that I deserve the spot, I don’t think it should be any problem,” Beard said.
But Beard said he was already feeling pressure from the coaching staff concerning Maldonado.
“Alejandro has come in as one of the high-ranked kickers in the class, hearing a lot of things about him, coaches are already kind of putting a little pressure on me, but it’s competition,” Beard said. “I love competition, and that’s what drives me to be my best.”
Maldonado and Solis were unavailable for comment, as freshmen have a media quarantine until the third week of practice, said Dave Williford, University executive assistant athletic director of media services.
As for the holder position, redshirt senior Costa expects to continue in the role, despite competing for the starting quarterback position against redshirt sophomore Darron Thomas.
“I do hope that I’m the holder, whether I’m the starter or not,” Costa said. “As of right now, I’m number one on the depth chart. Today, when we were going through our little walkthrough, I was the holder. It’s something I like to do and I think I have a good rhythm with the kickers, and it’s something I look to maintain.”
When asked about the role holders have on the team, Costa thought many underestimate their impact on a game.
“A lot of casual fans look at that part of the game and think it’s insignificant, but to me it’s points. It’s valuable to our team, whether it is a three, a one or even a two when we get some two-point conversions here and there,” Costa said.
At punter, incumbent starter Jackson Rice believes he will continue at the position despite also feeling pressure from Maldonado.
“It is a little bit different than last year. I came in having to beat out a guy who was already there. This year, I know the incoming kid, Alejandro, he also punts a little bit, so there still will be a little competition and nothing is ever guaranteed,” Rice said. “I’m kind of the veteran now. I’ve been here already. I really have to keep proving what my talent is and push myself.”
Another incumbent is running back Kenjon Barner as kick and punt returner. Barner is excited to continue as the Ducks’ main returner and emphasized how trusting his teammates is the most important aspect of running back kicks and punts.
“Kick return and punt return, those are two special things,” Barner said. “The trust factor that you have to have in your teammates, that’s the big thing … it excites me to see what exactly we can do this year.”
When asked about how he handles returning kicks, Barner said, “Blind faith. What that means is, having faith, while you’re looking up at that ball, having faith that they’re there for you and they’re not going to let anyone get close to you. … The first time I did it, nerve-wracking, but I got used to it.”
Barner said he favored returning punts, as the level of excitement is higher.
“I mean, they’re both exciting, but punt return is just a thrill because you never know,” Barner said. “You can either get blew up, run for a touchdown, you just never know. Punt return is more of a difference, but it’s such a thrill.”
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Ducks’ kicker position up for grabs in fall camp
Daily Emerald
August 9, 2010
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