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Sat October 6, 2007

After two miscues against Buffs, OU has chance for big plays in Dallas


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A look back at Bob
Stoops at OU

Oklahoma punt returner Reggie Smith is facing a Texas special teams unit that gave up two returns for touchdowns last week. BY CHRIS LANSBERGER, FROM THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
Who's next?
Reggie Smith is trying to become the next in a long line of great Oklahoma punt returners.

Here's a look at three of the best to ever don crimson and cream:

Antonio Perkins, 2002-2004
He is tied with Wes Welker and Tedd Ginn Jr. for most punt return TDs in a career with eight. In 2003 against UCLA, Perkins brought back three punts for scores, setting NCAA records for TDs and return yardage in a game.

Joe Washington, 1972-75
In 1974, Washington and his silver shoes averaged 13.83 yards a punt return, and he finished his career bringing back three for scores.

Jack Mitchell, 1946-48
He only had 22 attempts, but Mitchell made the most of them, returning three for TDs in 1948. His 23.77 career return average is by far the best in OU history, and he is just behind Perkins for career TDs with seven.

Other noteworthy returners: J.T. Thatcher (1997-00), Jarrail Jackson (1996-99), Tommy McDonald (1954-56), Darrell Royal (1946-49)

Plenty of problems
OU wasn't the only one to have several special teams miscues last weekend — Texas had its problems, too. Today, whoever improves in that area could have a great chance to win.

Here's a look at what went wrong on special teams for OU and UT in losses last weekend:

Oklahoma
•Late in the fourth quarter, Reggie Smith mishandled a punt, setting up Colorado's tying TD.

•CU's Chase McBride returned OU's final punt 31 yards to midfield, leading to the game-winning field goal. McBride earned Big 12 special teams player of the week for his returns against OU.

•Jermaine Gresham's kick-catch interference gave CU field position at its own 36, but the Buffs missed a 37-yard field goal later on the drive.

Texas
•Lawrence Hunte returned a kick 85 yards for a score to give K-State back the lead after UT had tied the game.

•After fighting back to make it 27-21, UT allowed Jordy Nelson to bring back a punt 89 yards for a TD.

By Jake Trotter

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By Jake Trotter
The Oklahoman
NORMAN — Reggie Smith's career returning punts can be summed up in one play.




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On the return before his fumble at Colorado, Smith twisted off the first tackler, dashed right and appeared to have a clear path to the end zone.

But a diving Buffalo sliced past a Sooner blocker and tumbled Smith to the turf.

Smith shines at making the first and second tacklers miss, but if he's to make a game-breaking play on punt returns against Texas today, Smith needs help from his downfield blocking.

"It seems like I'm one or two guys away,” Smith said.

"The biggest thing is getting the return started.”

On the season, Smith is averaging 8.9 yards per punt return, ranking just eighth in the Big 12. He has only one touchdown return in his career — none this season.

Typically, if a punt returner evades the first wave of defenders, he has a great chance of making a big return.

Just ask Colorado's Chase McBride, who earned Big 12 special teams player of the week honors for making several crucial returns against the Sooners.

But Smith hasn't been able to shake the second wave. And his blocking shares the blame.

"We're close,” said special teams coordinator Chris Wilson of the return blocking.

"All around, across the board, we need better execution.”

Also in need of better execution is the Longhorn kick and punt coverage units, each allowing a touchdown to Kansas State in a 41-21 loss.

After cutting the Wildcats' lead to 27-21, the Longhorns allowed a backbreaking 89-yard punt return touchdown.

"In the eight years I've been in this conference, Texas has been sound in their special teams, but like everybody else they're working out the kinks that they have in their coverage,” Wilson said.

"But like anything, our focus is on us.”

One focus this week should be no more turnovers on punt returns.

Smith's late fumble led to CU's game-tying touchdown.

"I put that on myself,” said Smith, who like the rest of OU's defense tired in the second half from being on the field so much.

"I didn't look it in. It hit my knee. It didn't even hit my hands.”

But if he can hold the ball and his teammates hold their blocks, beginning today Smith could be in for a special season returning punts.

"We're going to get it started,” Smith said. "We do that, big things will happen.”

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