Coach Dan Lanning Offers Honest Thoughts on Oregon's Special Teams Unit

How will a new-look Oregon Ducks special teams unit perform throughout a pivotal 2026 season?

Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning enters Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Entering the 2026 college football season with high expectations, Oregon Ducks fans are confident about the team’s potential on offense and defense, even with two new coordinators. Special teams, however, is a major concern among Ducks fans entering the season, and they hope it doesn't impact the team's national championship aspirations.

The Ducks will have a new kicker this season, losing Atticus Sappington, who earned a rookie minicamp invite with the Minnesota Vikings after going undrafted. Sappington was a reliable kicker for the Ducks, making 79.2 percent of his kicks, which included a game-winner in Oregon’s 18-16 road win over the Iowa Hawkeyes last season.

Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks kicker Atticus Sappington (36) reacts after a made field goal against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With a new kicker, there's much uncertainty about how consistent the Ducks' special teams unit can be throughout a season where the main goal is to win their first national championship in program history. A game-winning kick could be what it takes to advance in the CFP this season or win a national championship, if the Ducks make it that far.  

Following the Ducks' second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday, coach Dan Lanning addressed how Oregon's special teams unit looks as their season opener against the Boise State Broncos on Sept. 5 at Autzen Stadium rapidly approaches. 

“They had harder kicks last week too. I mean, we were taking some long shots, but we had three kicks over 50 today. So I think that was a positive, and then, just, you know, kick locations like I said, we’re better," Lanning said. "Our kickoffs last week went out of bounds. I don’t think it’s anything that these guys are doing different. Maybe it’s a level of focus when they’re out there.”

What Oregon Ducks Fans Should Make Of Dan Lanning’s Comments

Jul 29, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Oregon Football head coach Dan Lanning speaks during Big Ten Media Days at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While some Ducks fans may have mixed feelings over Lanning’s comments, the Ducks still have time to solve their special teams struggles before opening the season on Sept. 5 against the Boise State Broncos. 

Progress, however, has been shown, which is an encouraging sign for the Ducks ahead of their season opener. The special teams unit looks to continue improving through the remainder of fall camp.

Oregon Ducks New Starting Kicker

Oregon kicker Gage Hurych kicks off during Oregon Football’s spring game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

As for the Ducks' new starting kicker for the season, Oregon special teams coordinator Joe Lorig announced on Aug. 11 that redshirt sophomore Gage “Iceman” Hurych looks to be the starter.

“Gage is really a guy we’ve been prepping for the last several years for this spot,” Lorig said to the media. “We’ve been testing him in practice over the last couple of years. He had great mentors before him, so I’m super excited about him. Pretty confident to say that Gage is going to be the guy. He never gets too high or too low.”

As fall camp continues, Nevada Wolfpack transfer Keaton Emmett and redshirt freshman Rocco Graziano will continue challenging Hurych before the Ducks kick off the season against Boise State. 

Who Will Start At Punter For Oregon Ducks?

Oregon punter Bailey Ettridge punts during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

For the starting punter, the Ducks will likely turn to Bailey Ettridge, who is also a transfer from Nevada. Last season with the Wolfpack, Ettridge averaged 44.7 yards per punt. Michael Sbuttoni and Jack Nicoli are also vying for the starting punter role, but Ettridge is the favorite according to Lorig. 

“I think it’s also clear that Bailey is in the lead. It’s not a secret. He knows that,” Lorig said. “The other players know that. But the other players are pushing every single day to push to make him better.”

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