Freshman Matt Wogan was named Oregon’s starting kicker before last week’s game against Utah, pushing maligned senior Alejandro Maldonado to the bench. After Wednesday’s practice, Maldonado — who’s still the starting punter — talked about the week or so since his demotion, reflected on his career at Oregon and talked about his future.

How he’s felt since he lost the starting kicker job

“I’m OK with it,” Maldonado said. “It means I only have to focus on one thing and that’s punting. I like punting. It’s a lot of fun. You’ve just gotta catch it, kick it as far as you can and that’s it.”

Are you happy for new starting kicker Matt Wogan?

“Oh yeah,” Maldonado said. “I’m very happy for Matt. He’s a great guy, a great kicker. He’ll be good.”

Looking back on his Oregon career

“It could’ve gone a different way,” Maldonado said. “You’d want to go a separate route that I went, but I’m cool with it. It’s a learning experience.”

Do you still think about the missed kicks against USC in 2011 and Stanford in 2012?

“No, not really,” Maldonado said. “Those are in the past and I can’t change the past.”

Future plans

“I’m focused on getting my degree and going home to help out my family,” Maldonado said. “(My major is) family and human services. I want to do some nonprofit work (helping kids).”

Are you thinking about an NFL career as a punter?

“No,” Maldonado said. “Maybe if things had gone differently here (at Oregon), but no, I’m not thinking about that.”

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Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti opened his session with the media after Tuesday’s practice talking about Arizona’s offensive weapons, specifically running back Ka’Deem Carey. Then, Aliotti raved about the Robinson twins, freshman Tyrell (linebacker) and Tyree (defensive back). Aliotti said their future at Oregon is blindingly bright.

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Five minutes into the third quarter on Saturday, the Utah Utes trailed Oregon by just three points after a four-yard touchdown run by quarterback Adam Schulz. An upset seemed more than possible. But just two plays later, Oregon’s De’Anthony Thomas took the kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown, giving the Ducks a 23-14 lead. The Ducks would score three more touchdowns after that, turning a close game into a blowout by the end of that quarter.

Thomas reflected on his huge return after Monday’s practice but said he’s focused on the future for both himself and his team.

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Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich made it clear in his conference call on Sunday that the Ducks are focused on their upcoming game versus Arizona. After all, the Ducks have a significant amount of control over the outcome of that game. But that didn’t stop Helfrich from appreciating the help his team received from, who he called, “a strange friend,” even if that help was completely out of Oregon’s control.

That “friend” was USC, normally seen as Oregon’s enemy. But since the Trojans were playing Stanford, the one team ahead of Oregon in the Pac-12 North standings, on Saturday, the Ducks became USC fans for a night.

Oregon senior defensive tackle Ryan Hagen looked at USC this way:

an enemy of my enemy is a friend…just this once #FightOn

— Ryan Hagen (@HAGEN50) November 17, 2013

When USC took the 20-17 lead they’d never relinquish, several Oregon players expressed their gratification toward the Trojans on Twitter. The Ducks were back up to No. 1 in the Pac-12 North standings, meaning they only have to win their final two games against unranked Arizona and Oregon State to reach the Pac-12 championship game.

USC. Thank you.

— Tyler Johnstone (@TJohnstone64) November 17, 2013

YEEAAHHH!!!!!! Lets go SC!!!!

— Samuel Kamp (@sammuriah) November 17, 2013

Fight On ✌️… I'm gonna delete this in a few days lol

— Kenny Bassett (@KennyBassett) November 17, 2013

YES LETS GO BABY.

— Andre Yruretagoyena (@BigAndreAZDK) November 17, 2013

However, not every Duck tweet was celebratory after USC’s win. Several Oregon players, including Hagen, reiterated their team’s motto: Win the Day.

balls in our court now, one step at a time, arizona up next #WTD

— Ryan Hagen (@HAGEN50) November 17, 2013

Helfrich echoed the same sentiment on Sunday. He’s happy USC put the Ducks in the driver’s seat to take the Pac-12 North, but he said his team can’t focus on things they can’t control.

“A lot of things can happen between wherever we are right now and wherever we’re supposed to be,” Helfrich said.

One of those things is the grim reality of injuries. During the second quarter against Utah on Saturday, linebacker Derrick Malone dove to make one of his team-leading 85 tackles, but he landed awkwardly on his right arm. The junior lay on the ground for several minutes, grasping his injured limb. His future was in doubt, at least from the viewer’s perspective.

Malone later said the injury wasn’t serious and that he expects to play this coming Saturday, but the incident reminded everyone about how fragile a football player’s, and an entire team’s, health can be.

Malone wasn’t the only hobbled Oregon player, either. Quarterback Marcus Mariota still didn’t look 100 percent after spraining his MCL prior to last week’s game against Stanford, and starting left tackle Tyler Johnstone rolled his ankle right before the game ended, causing him to limp toward the sidelines.

“The buildup of the nicks and dings that take place over the course of the football season add up,” Helfrich said, “so hopefully we can manage that well and psychologically could manage that well going into next week.”

Despite Mariota’s apparent uneasiness and reluctance to run (four carries for negative-18 yards, mostly on sacks, against Utah) on Saturday, he continued his astonishing play through the air. The redshirt sophomore threw for 288 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions on 19-of-26 passing against the Utes. He still hasn’t thrown an interception this season.

“I can elaborate but I can’t explain it,” Helfrich said of Mariota’s interception-less streak.

But the Utah game is behind Helfrich and the Ducks. Now, Oregon goes on the road to face an Arizona team that is 6-4 on the season and has lost two in a row. While they might not seem like much of a threat to the fifth-ranked Ducks, Helfrich noted the Wildcats’ depth, from their solid front seven on defense to their elite running back, Ka’Deem Carey.

“(Arizona’s) another huge challenge and they’ll be trying to right the ship from last week,” Helfrich said.

Helfrich sounded ecstatic for that challenge in Tucson, Ariz., the Ducks’ last road game of the season. Oregon is now in an almost ideal position, controlling its destiny in the Pac-12 North. If the Ducks win their final two contests, they’ll go to the Pac-12 championship game. And who knows? Maybe a couple of more things out of their control will go their way.

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Live play-by-play of No. 6 Oregon at home against Utah with a list of the game’s most important plays.

First Quarter

9:34 — Oregon cornerback Terrance Mitchell intercepts an Adam Schulz pass — tipped by Troy Hill — at the Utah 38. 0-0 score.

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota completes pass to tight end Pharaoh Brown for 28 yards to the Utah eight yard-line. 0-0.

8:43 — Mariota passes to De’Anthony Thomas for an eight-yard touchdown pass. Matt Wogan’s point after try good. 7-0 Oregon.

Marcus Mariota completes a 25-yard pass to Evan Baylis to the Utah 22. 7-0 Oregon.

2:41 — Wogan converts a 31-yard field goal. 10-0 Oregon.

Second Quarter

7:48 — Michael Walker sacks Mariota for a loss of nine yards, setting up a 4th-and-27. Alejandro Maldonado’s punt travels 40 yards to Utah 28. 10-0 Oregon.

2:52 — Schulz completes 34-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Murphy. Andy Phillips’ PAT good. 10-7 Oregon.

2:49 — Mariota completes pass to Bralon Addison for 57 yards to Utah 7. 10-7 Oregon.

2:07 — Mariota completes five-yard touchdown pass to Josh Huff. Wogan’s PAT good. 17-7 Oregon.

Third Quarter

10:24 — Schulz completes a 48-yard pass to Dominique Hatfield to the Oregon four yard-line. 17-7 Oregon.

10:09 — Schulz runs up the middle for a four-yard touchdown. Phillips’ PAT good. 17-14 Oregon.

9:56 — De’Anthony Thomas returns the kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. Wogan’s PAT no good. 23-14 Oregon.

5:42 — Johnny Mundt receives wide open 14-yard pass from Mariota for a touchdown. Wogan’s PAT good. 30-14 Oregon.

0:32 — Mariota laterals to Byron Marshall, who runs 17 yards for a touchdown. Wogan’s PAT good. 37-14 Oregon.

Fourth Quarter

13:21 — Addison returns a punt for a touchdown but a block in the back penalty by Ayele Ford negates it. 37-14 Oregon.

Thomas Tyner rushes for 27 yards to the Utah 34 yard-line. 37-14 Oregon.

12:09 — Marshall rushes for a 16-yard touchdown. Wogan’s PAT good. 44-14 Oregon.

6:01 — Bubba Pool rushes 10 yards for a touchdown. Phillips’ PAT good. 44-21 Oregon.

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Every week during football season, our sports staff will discuss different topics surrounding an upcoming game. Today, sports editor Beth Maiman and sports reporters Andrew Bantly and Jonathan Hawthorne discuss Saturday’s matchup between Oregon and Utah.

1) What are the keys for each team to win?

Beth Maiman — The Ducks will have to hit the field with thoughts of the Stanford game behind them. If Marcus Mariota is healthy, the offense should run efficiently like it has in many games this season. Unfortunately for Utah, Oregon will have something big to prove after the loss and could be a very motivated team. Utah will need to control Oregon’s fast-pace offense.

Andrew Bantly — Without Travis Wilson the Utah offense is weak, at best. Mariota will also have to stay healthy because if he is out, the Ducks offense will have to depend, more than usual, on the run. The Utes defense needs to keep Oregon’s offense in check. As they did at Stanford, where they held the Cardinal to 21 points, Utah will be looking to get to the quarterback. Led by defensive end/linebacker Trevor Reilly, the Utes lead the Pac-12 in sacks and are fourth in conference in rushing defense.

Jonathan Hawthorne — With Utah’s announcing that starting quarterback Travis Wilson did not make the trip to Eugene, the Ducks will look to absolutely shut down the Utes on offense. Wilson gives Utah the ability to run and without that, the Utes will be embarrassed on the road, especially in the hostile Auzten stadium environment. Sophomore Adam Schulz, who is Wilson’s backup, has completed 22 of 45 passing attempts for 247 yards including one touchdown and one interception this season. Oregon needs to get its offensive “mojo” back early, especially after seeing what happened last week in Palo Alto. For the Ducks, the key lies in confidence — when that Harley roars right before kickoff, the Ducks need to be ready to go. No more thinking about what could’ve been.

2) Will recently named starting kicker Matt Wogan impress Ducks fans in his first game as the No. 1 kicker?

Beth Maiman — I am not certain that Wogan will have the opportunity to impress fans that often, but I think he will receive a warm welcome when his name is echoed through Autzen during the starting line-up. Wogan will most likely only be kicking extra points today.

Andrew Bantly — No. Wogan likely won’t have the opportunity to kick that big-time field goal. This game should be over by halftime.

Jonathan Hawthorne — Wogan will kick a field goal for at least 35 yards as fans in Autzen get an opportunity to see Oregon’s new talented freshman kicker. Although Helfrich doesn’t usually believe in settling for a field goal, he will understand that it’s crucial to assess Wogan’s ability with the pressures of the game.

3) Will Mariota’s play be limited by his MCL injury, and will he continue his streak of no interceptions so far this season?

Beth Maiman — Mariota will go out there as he would any game, but I do think if he is still banged up, the coaching staff may put a few limitations on him. If the Ducks have a comfortable lead towards the end of the third quarter, I would not be surprised to see someone else in at quarterback for Oregon.

Andrew Bantly — I think he will. He will start as usual and likely play the whole first half. But if this game turns into a blowout-type game for the Ducks, head coach Mark Helfrich will take Mariota out earlier than usual.

Jonathan Hawthorne — I don’t think Mariota will show any signs of an injury. He has demonstrated that when it comes to game-day, he’s always ready to go. He will continue to impress viewer by continuing his extremely impressive streak of zero interceptions.

4) What will be the storyline after the game?

Beth Maiman — The run game could flourish today. Out of all the running backs I see Thomas Tyner having the best day.

Andrew Bantly — Ducks return to form at Autzen. De’Anthony Thomas has his first big game since Tennessee.

Jonathan Hawthorne — I think that after the game, fans will be talking about the Oregon running backs. Marshall, Tyner and Thomas will combine to run for more than 330 yards, adding to their average so far this season of 302 yards per game.

5) Who wins today’s game and what will be the final score?

Beth Maiman — Oregon wins 56-13

Andrew Bantly — Oregon wins 58-20

Jonathan Hawthorne — Oregon wins 48-10.

Follow Beth Maiman on Twitter @bethamaiman
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne

The Oregon-Utah game is only two days away, and Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich said he’s looking forward to it. After Thursday’s practice, Helfrich discussed several topics, including Marcus Mariota wearing a knee brace and the comparisons between Utah quarterback Travis Wilson and a former quarterback for Arizona State.

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Marcus Mariota was selected as one of the 15 “Players to Watch” by the Walter Camp Foundation, who awards college football’s player of the year.

Nine other quarterbacks joined Mariota as a semifinalist for the award, but he owns one distinction over the others: zero interceptions. That’s one of several impressive stats Mariota has put up this season. He’s passed for 2531 yards (17th best in the nation) 281.2 yards per game (16th) and 22 touchdowns (12th) on a 63.3 completion percentage (37th among qualified QBs). He has also rushed for 495 yards (7.98 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns.

Mariota is a semifinalist for two other awards, as well: the Maxwell Award (college player of the year) and the Davey O’Brien Award (quarterback of the year).

Mariota was one of three Pac-12 players named as Walter Camp Award semifinalists. UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr and Arizona running back Ka’Deem Carey are the other two.

The list will be cut down to five players on Dec. 2 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 12.

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In his third hearing at the Lane County Drug Court, former Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla decided to opt out of drug treatment program. One court staff member said it’s rare for someone to be readmitted to drug court after refusing a treatment program as Lyerla did during the hearing on Wednesday morning.

Lyerla is facing a felony count for possession of cocaine stemming from an incident on Oct. 23. Eugene police officers saw Lyerla using the drug that night and agreed to meet with him at his residence shortly after to continue the investigation. Shortly after arriving there, though, Lyerla fled to a nearby apartment. He was then arrested, housed in the Lane County Jail and had an arraignment the next day. He was also charged for interfering with an officer, but that charge was dropped after the arraignment.

Lyerla’s lawyer, Stephen Houze, said on Wednesday that he wanted a two-week extension to look over photographs he received Wednesday morning. The photographs complement previous police reporters, according to Houze. Lane County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Chanti challenged Houze, saying she didn’t understand how the photographs would change Houze and Lyerla’s decision.

Lyerla appeared in the drug court on Oct. 24 and Nov. 8 but received extensions from the court both days. Chanti said it’s abnormally generous for someone to receive three extensions like Lyerla has.

The former Duck is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m.

Lyerla withdrew from the University of Oregon on Oct. 6 and plans on entering the NFL draft, held in May. Today is his 21st birthday.

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After Wednesday’s practice, Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich said his team has responded well this week following last week’s loss to Stanford and is looking forward to Utah. He also discussed the athleticism of Utah’s quarterback Travis Wilson and the keys to Utah’s win over Stanford on Oct. 12.

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