Senior place kicker Morgan Flint’s first kick of his collegiate career came against Washington on Aug. 30, 2008. Quarterback Chris Harper had just scored on a two-yard run to give the Ducks a 43-10 lead with 46 seconds left and Flint had been watching, assuming that head coach Mike Bellotti would call on established kicker Matt Evensen for the point after touchdown.
Instead, Bellotti came up to Flint and told him it was his turn to kick.
“I didn’t think I would kick, so I didn’t warm up at all and Bellotti said, ‘OK, Morgan, you’re in’ and I just went out there and basically tried not to shank it,” Flint said. “I was pretty glad it went through.”
The first three years of his career at Oregon were spent practicing, but never getting an opportunity to kick PATs or field goals. He’d only made it on to the field twice in 2007 when he kicked one kick-off each against California and South Florida in the Sun Bowl. But since the initial shock of be called upon against Washington, the Bend, Ore., native, has made the most of out of his chance on the field. He began his career by making 30 consecutive field goals and PATs and he finished the season 7-of-9 from field goals in the final four games of 2008 after he took full responsibilities as kicker.
Flint still hasn’t missed a PAT either. That’s 66 and counting for those of you keeping score at home.
“He’s done a great job kicking field goals and PATs,” tight ends and special teams coach Tom Osborne said. “He hasn’t missed an extra point… Morgan gives our offense a lot of confidence going down the field that once we get into field goal range that Morgan’s going to make it.”
Head coach Chip Kelly says that Flint is pretty much “automatic” from within 40 yards and Flint is 10-of-12 on the season. But it’s the other part of Flint’s game that everyone talks about when he comes up in conversation.
Teammates and coaches alike say he’s just an all around happy person.
“Me and Morgan came in together as freshmen,” tight end Ed Dickson said. “He gave me rides and stuff like that. That’s the kind of guy he is. He’d go out of your way to help you out. He’s not the big vocal guy or the biggest guy, but he makes up for it with heart. His heart is there.”
Osborne calls Flint a “happy-go-lucky teddy bear” because he’s always smiling and is just happy he’s gotten a chance to play college football.
“He’s a very humble guy…he’s awesome,” Osborne said. “I’m sorry to see him leave. I’m sorry he’s a senior.”
That’s why it was so special after fall camp when Kelly told Flint that he was giving the former walk-on a scholarship. Coaches and teammates say there was no more deserving player. Flint said he was very happy with the news because of all his hard work and his life long dream of playing for the Ducks.
“It’s definitely one of those things that’s pretty nice,” Flint said. “Of course you’d take playing over a scholarship, but to be here and work hard for four years and get rewarded the fifth year is a pretty good feeling.”
Flint gets overwhelmed when he talks about the first time he ran out onto the Autzen field turf as a player. He said it was something he will never forget.
“It was pretty amazing,” Flint said. “I’d been to Autzen several times to sit in the stands. Just to get out there and being in the tunnel was a pretty overwhelming experience.”
But the experience of realizing his dream didn’t get in the way of his performance, he says. Flint said once he’s out on the field it’s all business and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win — be it a fake PAT or field goal or kicking the game winning field goal.
“It’s pretty exciting to know that you have a chance to impact the game for the team you’ve been playing for and dreaming about you’re whole life,” Flint said. “To get out there in that situation is pretty special. I really think you don’t have anything to lose when you have chance to be the hero.”
His closest companion on the field, backup quarterback and place holder, Nate Costa, agreed that Flint is a special player because he does more than just kick. He can catch and run the football as well.
“Morgan’s an athlete, he played basketball and baseball and stuff, he can handle the ball when it’s in his hands,” Costa said. “He’s not one of those kickers who’s going to be afraid if he has to make a play for us. Having Morgan is an advantage.”
The confidence Flint gives his teammates is noticeable. When he lines up for a game winner, the Ducks know they are in control.
“I have a lot of confidence in him,” said Dickson, who admitted that he wouldn’t want to be the guy lining up to kick. “That’s why he has heart… If he’s kicking a field goal to win the game, the Ducks have already won.”
And for Flint, after this season he’ll be done at Oregon, but the memories of it all are something he says he’ll cherish forever.
“From coming in and just being happy to see all the guys you watched on TV and you see them everyday and you realize, ‘Wow you’re on that team’ to ending up getting to play for that team is a dream come true,” Flint said. “Just being around it all and being able to wear the Oregon ‘O’ is pretty special.”
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Mr. Dependable
Daily Emerald
November 11, 2009
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