EUGENE, Ore. — Police have arrested a 20-year-old Eugene man in an assault on Oregon kicker Rob Beard.

Maurice Dion Peterson was taken into custody on second-degree assault charges on Wednesday.

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.