Police make 2 arrests in Oregon kicker assault

Jan 29, 2010 - 5:43 AM EUGENE, Ore.(AP) -- Police have arrested two men in connection with an assault on Oregon kicker Rob Beard.

Maurice Dion Peterson, 20, of Eugene, was taken into custody on a second-degree assault charge on Wednesday. Kirby Taylor Hawkins, 19, of Portland, was arrested Thursday on the same charge. Both were lodged at the Lane County Jail.

Peterson was arraigned Thursday in Lane County Circuit Court.

Beard, who handled kickoffs for the Ducks last season, was battered to unconsciousness early Sunday after intervening in a fight to help fellow place-kicker Mike Bowlin.

Beard's younger brother says the kicker required surgery after suffering a broken nose and other facial injuries. Beard has been released from a Eugene hospital.

Police say the case is still under investigation.

Beard, a redshirt freshman, kicked off 83 times last season. He had one field goal attempt, a 51-yarder blocked by UCLA defenders.