One of the big questions entering the Oregon Ducks’ season, where they earned a No. 2 preseason ranking, had to do with special teams.
The Ducks lost key punt returners, kickoff returners, their punter, long snapper and placekicker. The kicker position has been an area that’s sparked concern over the years for Oregon, leading fans to wonder about the future of the position amid turnover.
Oregon’s tumbled all the way out of the top 25 rankings over seven weeks with two losses. With the program underperforming its preseason expectations, the impressive success of placekicker Gage Hurych has almost flown under the radar.
Dan Lanning on Gage Hurych’s Success
Hurych won Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the 17-14 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Week 7. He went 3-for-3 on his field goal attempts in that game, making up nine of the Ducks’ 17 points.
“Yeah, it’s what we thought Gage would be, and it’s a great example of the development there in the special teams room of putting him in situations he’s going to have success and him taking advantage of it,” coach Dan Lanning said.
“Nobody ever recognizes specialists unless it doesn’t go right. But (long snapper RJ Todd’s) been outstanding, (punter Bailey Ettridge’s) been outstanding, Gage has been outstanding in those areas, and then there’s still areas for growth, right? We can be better when it comes to our kickoffs,” he added. “And the locations that go, those go in. So, we’re just looking for every guy to continue to grow. But Gage has done a good job.”…