Like most of you...I was crossing my fingers thinking about our new kicker and punter. But the opening kickoff by Gage Hurych revealed a leg I've never seen so strong, as he did not just put it deep in the end zone; it was not lofted, but nearly a line drive. Huge leg.

The real test is kicking to the other end zone, on the side of the Mo Center, yet his KOs went deep in the end zone as well. His KOs were superb, and even the novice fans around me noticed as well.

He was perfect yesterday; he did not start his season the way Atticus did last year. He nailed both FGs, (one a 44 yarder) and his PATs in a close game. And he's an Oregon-Boy from West Linn!

The punter, Bailey Ettridge, was clutch, as he hit huge punts deep when we needed it, and even with a short field to punt to on occasion...his average was 48 yards a punt!

I cannot remember a better first game for new specialists!

Agreed. Our biggest losses last year were special teams, but hopefully this 1st game is representative of how they will play the rest of the season. Also the new long snapper is pretty good too!

22 minutes ago, Solar said:

Also the new long snapper is pretty good too

I didn't notice the long snapper. They must be good!

Spot On, Charles.

But the return game? I thought Perich was going to be the return guy.

Any skinny on his failure to win the return role?

19 minutes ago, Jon Joseph said:

Spot On, Charles.

But the return game? I thought Perich was going to be the return guy.

Any skinny on his failure to win the return role?

Note I wrote Specialists, and not Special Teams. Why Perich is not the return guy is a mystery to me...

Evan Williams looked almost timid on return duty...