EUGENE — Walk-on kicker Zach Emerson is “away” from the Oregon football program following his arrest earlier this month for two misdemeanor charges.
Emerson, 21, was arrested at approximately 6 a.m. Sept. 2 after being found by Eugene police unconscious in the bathroom of an apartment in which he does not reside on the 1700 block of Patterson Street near the UO campus. He was charged with criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal trespass in the first degree, both Class A misdemeanors in the state of Oregon that carry maximum penalties of a $6,250 fine and/or one year in jail.
“Zach’s away from the team while he’s handling some personal matters,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said after Wednesday’s practice.
Emerson, who handled kickoffs for the Ducks last season, is scheduled to appear for plea at Eugene municipal court Sept. 19.
His arrest combined with Adam Stack’s decision to transfer after losing the starting job to freshman Camden Lewis leaves the Ducks with only Lewis and redshirt-freshman walk-ons Henry Katleman and Taylor Koth available at kicker.
“Really feel good about Cam and also Henry Katleman, who’s come on as a walk-on, has done a great job,” Cristobal said. “He’s only been kicking for a couple of years but he’s a pretty neat story, he has a powerful leg and he’s been really good, really effective in his field goal tries and been really good kicking off the ball as well. We feel comfortable with the depth there."