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Eskimos focusing O'Neill's efforts on punting

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The Edmonton Eskimos are taking a page from the Calgary Stampeders’ book and going with a kicking tandem in the Labour Day Classic.

Newly signed Chris Milo will handle place-kicking duties while Hugh O’Neill, who is sitting ninth in field goal percentage after making eight of 10 since taking over for the injured Sean Whyte.

“Milo’s been put in this situation before, mid-season,” said Eskimos head coach Jason Maas. “I was in Ottawa when he got put in a situation where he had to come in mid-year with a kicking change and he did a great job.”

That doesn’t mean O’Neill hasn’t.

“Hugh’s done a tremendous job stepping in for Whytey, particularly in punting, he’s been lights out,” Maas said. “I know the field-goal kicking part is not something he’s been the best at. He’s done a great job up to this point for us, but I know Milo is a very good field-goal kicker.

“No position we’re going to put him in this week, he hasn’t been in and been successful in. That’s what this week’s been about, it’s being able to put a guy in a position where he’s been successful knowing that points are going to come at a premium this week.”

Whyte has missed the last four weeks after being placed on the six-game injured list with a sore leg. But the 13 of 14 field-goal attempts he’s made still has him at the top of the league with an accuracy of 92.9 per cent.

“Sean’s out, but he’s out for a while longer,” Maas said. “We’re doing this to protect our football club and to get two guys who specialize in different areas on our roster where they both can do their jobs without even thinking.”

Much like Rob Maver and Rene Paredes have done to full effect in Calgary.

“That also allows Hugh to concentrate on a job we feel like he’s going to be doing for a while here for us,” Maas said of O’Neill’s 46.6-yard punt average, which is tied for third overall on the season. “Punting is his forte and we’re going to let him just concentrate on doing that.”

Email: gmoddejonge@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge


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