There was some uncertainty heading into 2026 at the kicker position for the Oregon Ducks, as senior Atticus Sappington graduated and junior Gage Hurych, having been in the program for two seasons, was given the starting nod.

The West Linn, Ore., native served as the placekicker in 2025, using his strong leg to launch the ball into the end zone. But he attempted just one field goal before this fall: A 44-yard miss against Rutgers in a blowout. He did attempt 16 extra points, all in blowouts with little pressure.

With no competition for the starting job, it was understandable for there to be some questions with the Ducks' field goal kicking game entering the year. But after six games, there is no longer any uncertainty.

Hurych has attempted nine field goals, knocking each of them through the uprights including keeping Oregon in games against UCLA and Nebraska with his kicking alone. It all culminated in Hurych being named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week against the Cornhuskers, as his three field goals proved vital in the 17-14 win.

As a kicker, confidence and belief are everything. So, after coming into the year, with just one field goal — a miss — on his resume, how did Hurych manage to develop throughout his first two seasons and begin his tenure as the Ducks' kicker red hot?

"I did my best to treat every practice like it was the game," Hurych said during a press conference appearance. "So when I became the starter, it was as if I was playing for two years. And going along with that, you know, something I look back on and wish I did differently is I found myself getting complacent around you know halfway through the season. I kind of find myself in a rhythm of just going to practice, doing what I do, getting done. And this year, I've really taken a different standpoint on that. Every single day I'm trying to get better, no matter what, and I'm not going to be complacent at all. So you know I'm taking all the time that I can in practice, getting my steps right, getting everything perfect to a T."

But simply going 9-for-9 isn't the driver behind Hurych's success in 2026. After all, he came into the year 0-for-1 in his career. Instead, he revealed that his confidence comes from something else. Something that happens behind the scenes.

"I do my best to not get my confidence out of my performance, but out of my preparation," he said. "So my preparation has been great so far this season. I feel like it's shown on the field, so yeah. Again, regardless of what happens on the field, I have confidence because of my preparation."

After a string of years in which Oregon had several shaky kickers, Sappington brought some stability to the room in knocking in 19-of-24 attempts as a senior in 2025. This fall, Hurych has taken it a step further, proving to be an accurate kicker with a big leg to boot. And he's ready for the stretch run of the year.

"My confidence is great right now."