Oregon coach Mike Bellotti classified special teams as wide open entering fall camp. One month later, he said the Ducks had decided on the top two players at each position.
“I like our two-deep,” Bellotti said. “I expect our special teams to be much improved over last year.”
The Ducks excelled in punt and kickoff returns, ranking 22nd (Justin Phinisee) individually in punt returns and first (Jonathan Stewart) in kickoff returns. However, kickoff coverage was a
question mark heading into the season.
Kicking
Paul Martinez, the nation’s leader in field goals per game with 2.11, returns to lead Oregon’s special teams.
Martinez set a school and conference record, and tied the NCAA mark, for field goals made in a game with six versus Montana in the second game of the season last year. Although Martinez said he isn’t concerned with records this season, he just wants to take advantage of opportunities.
“Who knows how many opportunities I will get this year … If I get as many opportunities, hopefully I can do something good with it again,” he said. “If I don’t, I’m just going to make the best of the opportunities I do get.”
Martinez tore 50 percent of his right hip flexor prior to spring camp and didn’t return to full strength until the week before the season-opener.
“I think he can be the best kicker in the nation,” Bellotti said. “The biggest concern is to keep him healthy.”
Matt Evensen, who filled in for Martinez during three games last season, is a legitimate backup. Evensen made 4 of 9 field goal attempts, including 3 of 7 from 40 yards and beyond.
Evensen is also the primary kicker on kickoffs, an area that Bellotti said the Ducks lacked last season.
“I want to improve our kickoff coverage,” he said. “That’s not just a kicker thing. That is an all, everyone on that team, commitment type of thing.”
Oregon allowed 22.39 yards per kickoff return last season.
Punting
Seniors Matt Dragich and Aaron Knowles were in a stiff competition for the starting punter position for more than a season. Bellotti named Dragich the starter entering this season, similar to last year. However, Knowles punted in five games, including a start against top-ranked USC.
“There’s always going to be competition, but right now my role is to compete for the starting spot,” Knowles said. “However, I have 100 percent confidence in Matt, that he is going to do good. I’m looking for a Pac-10 championship. If it is me punting, or if it is Matt punting, it really doesn’t matter as long as we … put our team in the position to win each game.”
Dragich punted 32 times for a 38.9 average, including eight inside the 20-yard line. Knowles had a 40-yard average in 14 punts, with a long of 52.
“I expect Matt to be significantly improved,” Bellotti said prior to the season. “I expect us to be much, much better performance on the punt team.”
Kickoff and punt returns
Jonathan Stewart, the nation’s leading kickoff returner last season with a 33.67 yard-per-return average, will lead the kickoff return team along with fellow running back Jeremiah Johnson.
“I want to put the ball in his hands as often as we possibly can,” Bellotti said of Stewart.
Johnson will also be the primary punt returner.
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