Despite an increasingly lengthy kick or punt return touchdown drought that predates head coach Dan Lanning, Oregon football has not changed its philosophy for finding return men with skills that emphasize security and decision-making.

The Ducks haven’t had a player return a kickoff for a score since Mykael Wright housed two kickoffs in 2019, and they haven’t had a punt return touchdown since Ugochukwu Amadi against UCLA in 2018.

In 2023, Oregon ranked 128^th out of 133 qualifying schools in kick return yards per return at 15.4, and 55^th in punt return yards per return with 9.57. However, that lack of production did not slow the Ducks’ prolific offense.

“We only have two goals in special teams: own the ball and no penalties,” special teams coordinator Joe Lorig said. “Like, I don’t care if we’re first in the country in kickoff return as long as we own the football because we have a dynamic offense. If you give our offense the ball between the 20- and 30-yard line, we’re going to score a lot of points.”

The Ducks ranked second in scoring offense last season, averaging 44.2 points per game while turning the ball over just seven times.

Both Lorig and Lanning an emphasized making a good decision and securing the football first, and if explosive plays come after that first two steps, it’s an added bonus.

“Who’s going to give us the best chance to make sure that we’re going to get the ball minimum at the 25, and then if that guy also was one the most explosive returners, that’s a great thing,” Lorig said.

Lorig also said that no player was off limits for punt or kick return duty, save for quarterbacks and linemen. The best players would be on the field for the job.

While Oregon’s coaches are focused on getting the ball at least at the 25-yard-line, Duck athletes are already hopeful for a chance to take a touchdown to the house and break up Oregon’s half-decade drought in the return game.

Running back Noah Whittington said he felt the goal of the group was to return four or five kicks to the house.

“We got playmakers back there,” Whittington said. “I feel like no matter who we put back there we’re gonna take one to the crib. Especially if I’m off returner because I’m gonna block my ass off.”

Tez Johnson served as the main punt returner last season for the Ducks while Gary Bryant Jr. was the primary kick returner. Bryant averaged 18.5 yards per return on kickoff while Johnson averaged 9.5 per punt return.

So far during fall camp, Jordan James, Whittington, Jayden Limar, Nikko Reed, Rodrick Pleasant, Da'Jaun Riggs and Jay Harris have been working through kick return drills and Johnson, Evan Stewart, Jeremiah McClellan, Ryan Pellum, Dillon Gresham and Jack Ressler have been working through punt return drills, as seen by media.

Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football, volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at adietz@registerguard.com and you can follow him on X @AlecDietz.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon football wants security over explosiveness on returns