The special teams unit has been one of the biggest and best surprises of the season for the Oregon Ducks, and it certainly played a big role in Oregon's 17-14 win over Nebraska on Saturday. Whether it was flipping the field position and slowly starting the comeback with field goals, the Ducks' special unit lived up to its name.
Oregon's junior kicker Gage Hurych, in his first season as the Ducks' starting kicker, was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after connecting on three field goals in the win against Nebraska. Hurych made a pair of kicks from 36 yards and another from 37 yards, all in the second half.
The Ducks have not needed to rely on Hurych for many kicks this season, but when Dan Lanning has called his number, the West Linn product has delivered. Hurych is a perfect 9-for-9 on field goal attempts this season, with a long of 44 yards in the season opener against Boise State, as well as 19-for-19 on extra points. He is one of just seven kickers in FBS who have not missed a field goal this season with at least nine attempts.
Hurych is the first Oregon player to win Big Ten weekly honors this season. Atticus Sappington was the last Oregon specialist to win this award, doing so last November by connecting on three field goals and the game-winning field goal on the road at Iowa.
Hurych will get a chance to build upon his impressive first season as the Ducks' kicker this Saturday, when Oregon travels to Illinois for another Big Ten matchup. Kickoff is set for noon PT with the game airing live on Big Ten Network on Oct. 24.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon's Gage Hurych crowned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week