Steve Sarkisian believes hidden yardage on special teams is paramount for Texas’ Week One matchup at Ohio State after last year’s struggles.
At yesterday’s press conference, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian referenced special teams as one of the main concerns a team can have heading into Week One.
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It was interesting the way he singled it out. None of his other three concerns were full units on the field. He was concerned about tackling, not linebackers, and pre-snap penalties, but not the offensive line. But the entire special teams unit is one of the most important things for the man entering his fifth season in Austin.
For those who watched closely last year, this shouldn’t come as a major surprise. The Longhorns may have had the worst special teams unit in the nation in 2024: nine missed field goals, the second-worst punting net yards in the SEC, and bottom five in both total and average kickoff return yards in the conference.
As a result, ESPN’s FPI rating system marks the Longhorns as the second-worst special teams unit in the nation heading into 2025, but that feels like an oversight. While his concerns are warranted, the Longhorns have put supreme focus into fixing their weakest area from 2024.
“How do you play sound on special teams? There’s so much hidden yardage in special teams,” Sarkisian said. “Whether it’s punting the ball, returning the ball, points off the board, making your field goals. Finding areas where you can maybe block a punt, block a kick, things of that nature.”
Sarkisian is high on winning the “hidden yardage” game. He’s a believer that many yards per game are almost secretly decided by special teams. A punt that draws a returner to the sideline saves 10 yards, a good block on a kick return adds 5, and a penalty on a punt return loses 15 or more. Last year, Texas lost the hidden yardage game in the majority of its matchups, none more obvious than against Arizona State.
This season, Sarkisian is emphasizing that importance to his group. He’s already gotten great returns from transfer punter Jack Bouwmeester. Will Stone was praised for his kickoff abilities. The team even blocked a kick yesterday, something that both Sarkisian and special teams coordinator Jeff Banks have pointed to as an area they wanted to improve in 2025.
This Week One prep is different than in the past because you’re not staring down the barrel at Rice or Colorado State; you’re heading to Columbus to play the defending national champions. While his three other main concerns will surely be narrowed in on as camp unravels, it’s clear that Sarkisian sees special teams success as directly tied to overall success.
If Texas runs out with similar special teams mistakes as last year, Ohio State will likely win the game. But if transfer kicker Mason Shipley is automatic, Bouwmeester hits strong punts, and the hidden yardage game is in the Longhorns’ favor, Texas will have every chance to solidify itself as the best in the nation exiting August.
Category: General Sports
