For most of the spring, at least to this point, the focus on the Oregon football team has primarily been the battle of the quarterbacks.
Ryan Shaw, Chris Vincent and others have also garnered the spotlight in their competition to take over the running back spot from the departed Onterrio Smith. And then, of course, is the defense and how it grows up after a tough lesson most of last season.
With so much focus outside of the program centered elsewhere, the Oregon kicking game has gone unnoticed.
And why not? Jared Siegel had a solid season last year, connecting on 20 of 24 field goals, including a career-high 59-yarder against UCLA.
The Oregon punting situation is not as set as walk-ons Drew Larson and Chris Annis are holding down the fort now, but the Ducks expect a highly celebrated punter to join the team in the fall.
The spring is a time for the group to work on leg strength and build up stamina for the regular season.
“This year there hasn’t been as much emphasis put on the kicking game because there’s more uncertainty with our punting situation,” Siegel said. “So it’s a time for me to work on some of the small things I need to improve upon and an opportunity for the team to improve on different special teams.”
For Annis and Larson, the opportunity to join the Ducks for the spring gives them an opportunity to join the team again in the fall. It is unlikely Oregon will keep three punters, much less two, which means what they do now can last throughout the summer.
But both are walk-ons, so just being out there can be a task. And with Jose Arroyo departed after last season, that task can take on added importance.
“It feels like a job when you’re out here,” Annis said. “The goal is to get the scholarship, definitely. But just being a part of Oregon football is a huge honor. It’s definitely worth being a walk-on.”

Vincent, Matson

stand out
Head coach Mike Bellotti didn’t have too many positive words about the Oregon defense after Friday’s scrimmage, except to single out the play of safety Keith Lewis and linebacker Jerry Matson.
Matson, specifically, has had a bevy of solid spring practices so far.
“Jerry has always possessed great quickness,” Bellotti said. “What he has to do is harness that quickness, harness that energy, and keep it under control so he doesn’t out-run the play or run himself out of position. I think he’s learning. Every day he’s getting more experience with what the requirements of the position are.”
Oregon’s quartet of running backs has been impressive all spring, and Bellotti pointed out that the group played well on Friday. But he was also quick to mention Vincent, a redshirt last year after attending Louisiana State previously.
Vincent had 57 yards rushing on 15 attempts.
“Certainly, Chris Vincent drew some ‘oohs and ahhs’ from the crowd with some moves and some strength,” Bellotti said.
Bellotti has not named a starter at running back and said Friday’s scrimmage did not serve to separate the pack.

Pac-10 news and notes
Washington’s Rich Alexis received a $350 fine after pleading guilty to a gross misdemeanor assault Friday in Seattle City Court. The running back had been charged with hitting a fraternity member at a party in February after Alexis denied entrance into the party. However, Alexis told the Seattle Times the incident was “blown out of proportion, but I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Arizona linebacker Kirk Johnson is also in trouble with the law. The Oakland, Calif., native was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence of drugs after being pulled over during a routine traffic stop Saturday.
He had been pulled over on
the suspicion of having a false license plate.