Published • loading... • Updated
Texas special teams are giving up big plays and creating big problems for the 7th-ranked Longhorns
Steve Sarkisian said Texas will not make major staff changes despite blocked punts, missed kicks and return miscues that have hurt the Longhorns.
- On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, Texas fell 27-24 to Oklahoma in Dallas, marked by critical special teams failures including a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown by the Sooners.
- Head coach Steve Sarkisian defended special teams coordinator Jeff Banks on Monday, dismissing calls for staff changes despite recent performance lulls. Banks joined the staff from Alabama in 2021.
- Recent mishaps include a punt return touchdown surrendered to the Volunteers—the first against Texas in 13 years—and an onside kick fumble. Gianni Spetic missed a 53-yard field-goal attempt late in the fourth quarter.
- The Longhorns recorded 15 three-and-outs over the last two games, compounding recent issues. Quarterback Arch Manning threw two fourth-quarter interceptions against Oklahoma despite ranking seventh in the Southeastern Conference with 10 touchdown passes.
- Sarkisian emphasized the team remains close to correcting performance issues, stating, "I don't question our ability to coach our way out of that." The program aims to regain explosive consistency moving forward.
Insights by Ground AI
15 Articles
15 Articles
The Washington Post+13 Reposted by 13 other sources
Texas special teams are giving up big plays and creating big problems for the 7th-ranked Longhorns
Special teams have become a problem for no-longer-top-ranked Texas
·Washington, United States
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left5Leaning Right2Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 36%
C 50%
14%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
