The difference between Texas winning in the fourth quarter and losing against Arizona State in the College Football Playoffs was crucial.
Or the fourth-and-long field goal, to be more precise.
Texas was forced into overtime against the Sun Devils after missing two crucial field goals in the fourth quarter, one from 38 yards out and the other from 48. After a strong three seasons with Texas, then-senior kicker Bert Auburn had what was perhaps his worst game of the year on New Year’s Day.
Fortunately, the Longhorns prevailed. However, Auburn hit the transfer portal and ended up at Miami after being benched for the second straight Ohio State playoff game.
With the acquisition of multiple transfers, most notably senior kicker Mason Shipley, Texas’ special teams squad is now almost completely different from the previous campaign.
However, the special teams room is still plagued by mistakes made under duress, much like any other competitive football club.
Prior to the commencement of this year’s training camp, special teams coordinator Jeff Banks stated that making pressure kicks is essential for being a top kicker not only at this school but also in the NFL and elite college football finals. Regretfully, Bert found it very difficult to make such kicks.
Banks had focused on three things on the day before summer camp began: penalties, field goal percentage, and net punting.
After getting back into it, looking, and removing oneself from the game and the emotion of some of those situations, Banks stated, “I think those are the three things.”
Shipley makes a significant contribution to those areas. Shipley, who transferred from Texas State after making 31 of 35 field goals, finished his three seasons with the Bobcats with 111 point attempts. He set a program and Sun Belt Conference record with a 60-yard field goal against Sam Houston last season.
According to Banks, Mason has a wonderful disposition and is simply a mature child. He is a man with a very positive manner. And during training camp, we’ll find out more about him. With him, we’ve had a pleasant summer.
With three years of burnt orange under his belt, senior kicker Will Stone can now be considered a veteran player alongside Shipley. Although Stone mostly punted for the Longhorns, he went two for two on extra point attempts and replaced Auburn in the Ohio State playoff game.
With a career-high 56 touchbacks last season and an average of just over 16 yards per return, Stone was the key to Texas’s dominance in the SEC in kickoff return defense.
“After all of this and the way he handled the season’s end,” Banks added, “I think Will’s a lot better than he was a year ago.” He took over during that Ohio State game, making his PATs and getting us off to a great start.
Sometimes, the grandeur of a strong offense or heart-breaking defense overshadows the importance of having a very skilled special teams room. However, with only three points at stake, the kicker always has a chance to make the difference for his team, generally under extreme pressure.
With a challenging schedule in store, Texas football will have plenty of those opportunities. However, the Longhorns should be ready with a stacked room and lots of practice throughout the two-and-a-half week camp.
