Oregon Ducks Coach Helfrich Kicks Maldonado Aside, Names Freshman Wogan As Starter

Jan. 3, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Oregon Ducks kicker Alejandro Maldonado (41)  Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It has taken a year for Oregon Ducks Kicker Alejandro Maldonado to work at getting better at kicking field goals. However his time is up. He almost did enough with his ball placement for onside kicks this past week, but missing another kick earlier this season vs UCLA a decision has been made. Oregon Head Coach Mark Helfrich has named Freshman Matt Wogan the starter at the position.

I can’t say that I personally disagree with the decision, but I feel that Maldonado did have somewhat a raw end of the deal. Last season Oregon’s Offense really only needed a solid field goal kicker for one game – we all know which game that was. Oregon kicked a fraction of field goals last season compared to other teams in the country. Wogan so far in 2013 has made one field goal for 38 yards.

Maldonado’s biggest failure was last season against Stanford in Eugene. He missed two field goals in clutch time. One was for 42 yards and wide right, the second was in overtime, a 41 yarder that clanked off the goalpost. A new era in kicking starts on Saturday with Matt Wogan.

The Ducks and Utes kick off at 1pm PT of Fox Sports 1.

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