Spring Storylines: What is the state of Oregon’s special teams units?

It’s been practically two full months since the 2019 season ended for the Oregon Ducks; a season that will be long remembered as a year of resurgence for the Oregon football program.

A Pac-12 Championship. A Rose Bowl victory. A second consecutive star-studded recruiting class signed, sealed, and all but delivered. Those types of accomplishments simultaneously restore the integrity of a proud program while also serving as an emphatic launch point for a new era under the direction of Mario Cristobal.

Yet, as strange as it may seem, the time for reminiscing and the savoring of moments from the recent past is over – at least insofar as it relates to Cristobal and his coaching staff. The countdown to spring practice can be marked by days, if not hours, and with it marks the first tangible signs that preparations for the upcoming 2020 season are underway.

With spring football set to begin in earnest for the Ducks on March 5, culminating with the annual spring game on April 18, WFOD is taking the time between now and then to examine the prevailing storylines at each position group.

Today, our Spring Storylines series concludes with a look at special teams.

What is the state of Oregon’s special teams units?

The special teams units for Oregon a season ago were all too often drawing Jekyll and Hyde comparisons.

On one hand, it was a breakthrough year for the Ducks on special teams, as punter Blake Maimone authored his best season as a collegian, ranking third in the conference in average yards per punt (44.02), booting 17 punts 50 yards or more, while also pinning opponents inside their own 20 on 17 separate occasions. Meanwhile, Jevon Holland and Mykael Wright flashed their tremendous playmaking ability on punt and kickoff returns, respectively, as each proved throughout the course of the year to be two of the more dangerous return men in the conference.

On the other hand, it was a frustrating year that reminded Duck fans of some of the torturous moments they’ve experiences in the not so distant past, particularly as it relates to the kicking game. Long gone are the days of Aidan Schneider, whose steady, accurate foot provided a calming effect whenever he trotted onto the field. Instead, the Ducks have largely white-knuckled their way through field goal and extra point attempts the past few seasons, as Adam Stack and Camden Lewis have struggled to find consistency. Though Stack is no longer with the program after deciding to transfer last year, Lewis enters his sophomore season looking to capture some of the reliability than made his predecessor Schneider so valuable.

That’s not to say that Lewis’ true freshman season was without encouraging moments. His game-winning field goal vs. Washington State last October capped off a three-week stretch in which Lewis made five straight field attempts. Yet, more often than not, Duck fans were left holding their breath when Lewis sized up his field goal and extra point attempts, as he finished the year 9-of-14 on three-point tries and 57-of-59 on points after touchdowns. It goes without saying that he’ll need to perform with more steadiness and confidence in order to stave off redshirt sophomore walk-on Henry Katleman and other potential contenders this spring.

The same can be said for redshirt sophomore Tom Snee, who looks to be first in line to replace the graduated Maimone at punter. After appearing in 10 games as a true freshman in 2018, the native Australian redshirted last season to continue developing his skills. Cristobal has mentioned Snee as a player who has made notable progress over the past year, but the spring will be his first opportunity to really prove himself with the job being his lose. As a freshman, Snee averaged 35.23 yards per punt on 22 attempts, though he was successful in pinning opponents inside their own 20 on five separate occasions, in addition to forcing 11 fair catches.