Fake-punt run casts Knall into OU-UT drama

By Jake Trotter

Published: October 11, 2008

From his mad scramble to drawing two penalties that drew best supporting actor nominations from Texas fans, OU punter Mike Knall was a central character in Saturday's drama. Late in the third quarter, with OU leading 28-27, Bob Stoops called a fake punt on fourth-and-6 at midfield.

Knall rushed right and made a nice cut, but was tackled from behind Texas cornerback Curtis Brown. A measurement and a replay review of that spot showed Knall was a yard shy of a first down.

“We would've been in scoring position," Knall said. "If we would've gotten it, it would've given our offense a big boost.”

Instead, Texas got a big boost, scoring a field goal on the ensuing drive to take its first lead of the game, 30-28.

Knall was part of another big play. On OU's next punt attempt, Knall was roughed according to officials, keeping a drive alive the Sooners would eventually score on.

Texas fans booed Knall, when he acted like he was hurt on the play, and later when he came on the field for his next punt. Earlier in the game, Knall drew a running-into-the-punter penalty that OU declined because it would not have given the Sooners a first down.

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