Leading Air Force 24-19 at the end of the third quarter, Boise State punter James Ferguson-Reynolds uncorked a 71-yard punt down to the Falcon seven to flip the field.
In a similar situation Saturday at the Oregon Spring Game, a Combat Ducks punter shanked one of the side of his foot to set up the Fighting Ducks inside his own 30.
A great punter can be a weapon for a defense, limiting the opponent's offense, tightening up the playbook and creating pressure. An erratic or inconsistent punter puts his defense in jeopardy, often in critical situations.
Ferguson-Reynolds entered the transfer portal on Tax Day, April 15th. The Ducks desperately need to file an extension and pick him up before they get audited by the 2025 Big Ten schedule.
In 2023 Ferguson-Reynolds earned Ray Guy Award semi-finalist honors, leading the nation with a 49.7 average on 55 punts. The Geelong, Australia native slipped slightly in 2024 to 43.5, but he still put 16 punts inside the 20 with just three touchbacks.
Highlight of the night! 🐴🔵🟠
— West Coast College Sports Guy (@WCCSG_) August 18, 2024
James Ferguson-Reynolds blasts a 71 yard punt! pic.twitter.com/IbYeZk7EvE
As Oregon's punter for the last two seasons, Ross James kicked for a slightly higher average in 2024 at 45.5, but he had twice as many touchbacks and dropped only seven inside the 20.
James is wildly inconsistent. He seems to blast his biggest kicks to reach the end zone and chunk one when the Ducks need a big kick.
An upgrade at punter would make Oregon's promising defense even tougher. The Ducks lost depth at the position when Luke Dunne transferred to Washington on Friday.
One other option is to elevate redshirt freshman kicker Gage Hurych, who showed off a big leg Saturday connecting on field goals of 54 and 47 yards. His two punts Saturday included one he pooched inside the ten and another he hung high for 43 yards with no return.
He also kicked once for the Fighting Ducks, booming that one 50 yards.
Saturday with sunny skies and a slight breeze, James averaged 26 yards on two punts for Team Combat.
Whether it's a mechanical problem that can be ironed out at summer kicking camp, a personal battle that needs addressing (we all have them) or a performance issue that requires a roster move, it's something the Oregon staff has to evaluate carefully.
Asked about special teams after the spring game, Dan Lanning said
"Gage hit some big kicks overall special teams, there were some positives. There were some real negatives there too. So, you know, you asked about linebacker, maybe punter, if there's a punter out there available, right? We've been more consistent. They didn't show up today. That was some of the poor kicks that I've seen here."
Of course, with an offense that features Dante Moore, Kenjon Sadiq, Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore and Makhi Hughes, plus a stout o-line anchored by Iapani Laloulu and Isaiah World, punting might not be an issue at all.