Gazette-Times Reporter

Finding a new punter remains on one of the most important tasks for the Oregon State football team during training camp.

After focusing on that during spring practice with three punters, little was settled. So, two new ones join the roster for a three-way competition.

Sean Sehnem is the lone holdover from the spring. Coach Mike Riley is high on incoming freshmen Johnny Hekker of Bothell, Wash., and Ryan Allen of South Salem High.

"I feel really good about Sean Sehnem coming out of spring practice," Riley said. "He'll get strong competition from Johnny Hekker and Ryan Allen. They are both strong kids we like. Our deal is to make them compete and then groom our punter."

If a game was played today, Sehnem would be the guy. He's a junior who last played for NCAA Division II Western New Mexico in 2005 and 2006. He attended College of the Canyons in the Los Angeles area last season, but did not play.

Sehnem kicked and punted at Western New Mexico. He averaged 43.2 yards a punt, and was named first-team All-Rocky Mountain Conference.

He went 15-for-20 on field goals with a long of 55 yards. He can be a backup to place-kicker Justin Kahut, who earned a scholarship starting this season.

"I like his mentality and work ethic," Riley said of Sehnem. "He was pretty good in spring ball."

Hekker is a quarterback by trade, but punted, too. When reviewing his recruiting tape, Riley saw him punt at the end.

That led to the invitation to walk on. Riley liked his big leg and style, and said he looked like a natural punter.

"We'll try to put every bit of game situation we can on them to get ready," Riley said. "We'll have to find out a lot to sort through three punters. We don't normally have to do this."

The only other concern for the special teams is replacing several key athletes in coverage and returns teams. The graduation of Gerard Lawson, who returned kicks and was a core cover man, is significant.

Offseason departures of Bryan Payton and Patrick Fuller will be felt here. They were playmakers on those teams.

"What has to happen, everyone has to pick up there particular deal," Riley said. "There are new people stepping in; and for us to be as good as we need to be, people such as Suaesi Tuimaunei and James Dockery, and younger guys like Brandon Hardin must step up, along with those younger linebackers like Will Darkins and Keith Pankey. They need to become those core guys."

Returns will be done by some the most dynamic players on the team. Sammie Stroughter returns with his game-breaking ability after his medical redshirt season to handle the punt returns.

James Rodgers was groomed to take over on kickoff returns, and is the primary returner. However, his freshman brother, Jacquizz, will be tested out on returns.

"Quizz will compete with kickoff returns," Riley said. "We might have Rodgers and Rodgers back there."

2007 special teams recap

NET PUNTING: 31.7 ypg (10th in Pac-10/111th in NCAA)

PUNT RETURNS: 6.7 ypg (7th/92nd)

PUNT DEFENSE: 4.5 ypg (1st/5th)

KICKOFF RETURNS: 21.0 ypg (8th/64th)

KICKOFF DEFENSE: 18.9 ypg (1st/5th)