Football Practice Report: Aug. 17

Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Spider pads

One of the central tenets of Oregon football's culture under new coach Dan Lanning is "connection." It's also a big reason the Ducks have some healthy competition for placekicking roles this fall.

The Ducks return second-team all-conference kicker Camden Lewis in 2022, as he looks to follow up on a 2021 season that saw him make his first 10 field-goal attempts of the year. That might not seem to be the best situation for another kicker to enter, but the Ducks did indeed enhance their depth for this fall – thanks to the program's value on "connection."

Helping push Lewis at placekicker while also vying for kickoff duties are transfers Alex Bales and Andrew Boyle. Bales kicked off in two New Year's Six bowls the last two years while at Cincinnati, and Boyle made spot appearances on both kickoffs and punts for Washington State over the last two years – including against the Ducks in 2020.

Now, both are in Eugene, competing for roles under Lanning and special teams coordinator Joe Lorig.

"I just really connected with them on my visit," Boyle said. "Their philosophies, their ideas – the future they have for Oregon football is amazing."

Bales, who played in the Peach Bowl against Georgia two seasons ago before kicking off against Alabama in a College Football Playoff Semifinal last season, even passed up scholarship money elsewhere to play for coaches he connected with at Oregon.

"Connection goes a long way," Bales said. "Coach Lorig reached out to me and made me feel at home."

Boyle has a background in placekicking, kickoffs and punting. He said he's focused on placekicks and kickoffs with the Ducks, but that the staff saw value in all the versatility. He's learning even more now that he's at Oregon.

"It's nice being around new kickers, new players," he said. "Everyone has different backgrounds, and coaches they've been with. So it's nice to get to learn from new people, new coaches. Always gives a new perspective on how you work through things."

Both Boyle and Bales said the environment among all the specialists is both friendly and competitive. There's connection among the players, just like the coaches who recruited them to Oregon.

"Every day we make each other better," Bales said. "We help each other out. Regardless of whether I'm the starter or not, I want what's best for this team. I feel like being here, I can make an impact on this team."

Caleb Chapman Practice

Notable: The Ducks held a competition period of third-down reps Wednesday, in which the side of the ball that lost had to stay on the field for the next rep. They also drilled some last-second end-of-game situations, with the offense both protecting a lead and needing to come from behind. And they reviewed more "4-minute" situations in which the offense is looking to protect a lead. … Former UO offensive line coach Neal Zoumboukos watched a portion of practice from the sidelines.

Ty Thompson Practice

Quotable:

Senior receiver Chase Cota
On how the Ducks have practiced since Saturday's scrimmage
"I think we responded really well. Our first practice back was good, but then yesterday I think was really good. And then today was a little bit of a lighter day for us – we had the spiders on – but I think we were real fast for the short practice. So I think we're stacking good days."

Sophomore tight end Terrance Ferguson
On entering year two in college along with fellow right end Moliki Matavao
"We're just really excited to get another year. Me and Mo both learned a lot from last year. Going through a full season, it's long, it's hard on your body. So we learned a lot. With this new coaching staff I think we have the opportunity to go do some explosive things in the passing game, and also stick our nose up in there in the run game. So I think we're really excited and we have a good opportunity in front of us."

Post-practice interviews:

Senior receiver Chase Cota