Oklahoma football: Sooners overcome special teams' mistakes — this time

Unless punt and field goal units improve, wins will be tough to come by each week.

By Stephanie Kuzydym | Published: September 2, 2012 Comment on this article

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“Had a little communication error on the first one and Coach Stoops asked me to jump in there,” Ikard said. “Did what he asked me to do. Said he needed me.”

Special teams was in no way, error free. They did struggle, not as much as the Miners' three missed field goals and fake punt, but the Sooners' second mistake came in the second quarter.

Way was holding the ball for Michael Hunnicutt's 37-yard field goal attempt — until he fumbled the ball. The result was another blocked kick.

Games are won and lost off these kinds of errors. If you don't think so, look back at the first half, when UTEP could have gained a solid lead had it not missed two field goals, one on the opening drive of the game. Those are momentum changers — and possible game changers.

As the Sooners departed Sun Bowl Stadium, the attitude around the team was, “Hey, a win is a win.” Sure, until these special teams errors continue to creep and seep into the Sooners' play. Then a loss is a loss.

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