The Texas Longhorns’ special teams don't look that special

What have the Texas Longhorns done to anger the football gods?

Did they fail to sacrifice a game ball to a golden statue of Vince Young? Did they exclude Colt McCoy from a meeting of the secret society of Longhorn greats?

Whatever they did, Texas’ special teams is paying the price.

The Longhorns have been able to move the ball and score against Oklahoma State, but blocking and tackling on the extra point has somehow eluded them. Of the four touchdowns Texas has scored, it has only successfully converted one extra point. Three blocks from Oklahoma State have spoiled any sort of momentum Texas could build from those scores.

On the first block, Oklahoma State’s Trey Carter busted through the middle of the line to slap down Trent Domingue’s PAT attempt late in the first quarter. Carter rumbled down the field, and then lateraled to Tre Flowers who took it to house for a defensive PAT and two points.

The head-scratching didn’t stop there from Longhorn fans.

Domingue would have his next two extra point attempts blocked with most of the pressure coming from the middle of the line. Watching the game, it was apparent the blocks were starting to affect his head.

Faced with a 46-yard field goal, Domingue appeared to have been impacted by the earlier blocks, missing wide-left even when his protection held up. It would be hard to blame him in that situation; even the steeliest kickers would be somewhat shaken by the lack of protection.

Unfortunately for Texas, this wasn’t the first special teams debacle this year. In their first game of the season, Notre Dame blocked an extra point late in the fourth quarter and took it to the house to tie the game, 37-37. That defensive PAT would result in overtime, which Texas was able to escape with a 50-47 win.

Midway through the game against Oklahoma State, it looked like an uphill battle for the Longhorns.

At the end of the first half, Oklahoma State held a 37-25 lead. Had Texas converted on its PATs, the deficit might have been much closer at 35-28. Add in the missed field goal, and that’s only a four-point game.

And in a shootout where “defense” is just a word, every point counts.

Not all was lost for the special teams though. Prior to this performance, that phase of the game had not been the problem at Texas. Before heading to Stillwater, Texas had converted 15 of 16 extra points and were five of seven in field goals for the year. The Longhorns have shown themselves capable of performing well, but Oklahoma State is testing their confidence.

Special teams coordinator Jeff Traylor hasn’t been criticized as much as defensive coordinator Vance Bedford and his struggles, but this game could change that.