Despite the improvements made to Oklahoma’s special teams in 2024, the unit still faced issues of inconsistency and lacked significant game-changing moments. The Sooners brought in career special teams coach Doug Deakin, whose addition coincided with a shift in NCAA rules that allowed analysts like him to take on more hands-on coaching roles. This change, combined with Deakin’s expertise, led to some improvement in the unit’s overall efficiency. However, while the performance was notably better compared to the previous year, when Oklahoma ranked near the bottom of the country in special teams efficiency, the Sooners were still far from dominant in this area.
Special Teams Efficiency in 2024
According to ESPN’s FPI analytics, Oklahoma ranked 36th nationally and 7th in the SEC for overall special teams efficiency, a massive improvement from 2023 when they were 127th in the country and last in the Big 12. This marked a positive trajectory, yet the improvement was not as dramatic as one might have hoped, considering the emphasis placed on special teams under Deakin’s guidance. While the Sooners no longer found themselves at the very bottom of the rankings, they were still largely average or mediocre in many key categories, particularly in returns and coverage.
Return Game and Big Plays
One of the most glaring issues for Oklahoma’s special teams in 2024 was the lack of explosive returns. There were zero kickoff or punt returns for touchdowns, and the longest kickoff return was just 31 yards by Sam Franklin. Peyton Bowen provided the longest punt return of the year, a modest 24-yard gain. These are disappointing figures for a team that needed to generate big plays in a season filled with struggles. The Sooners finished 68th in the nation for punt return average (7.96 yards) and 88th for kickoff return average (18.92 yards), both of which are below par for a team of Oklahoma’s caliber.
In the past, special teams were a hallmark of Oklahoma football, with return men capable of turning the game with a single play. In 2024, however, the Sooners’ return game was simply not a threat, and while players like Bowen showed flashes of potential, they were unable to consistently make a major impact. There were a few instances of errors, such as multiple dropped punt returns by both Bowen and Billy Bowman, which further complicated Oklahoma’s special teams performance. These errors, combined with the lack of game-changing plays, left the Sooners without much of an edge in the return game.
Coverage Teams
While the return game struggled, Oklahoma’s coverage teams had some success, particularly in the punting department. The Sooners ranked 26th nationally for punt return defense, allowing just 4.86 yards per return. A significant part of this success was the excellent hang time provided by punter Luke Elzinga, who ranked 16th nationally and 6th in the SEC with a 44.8-yard average. Elzinga’s consistent performance on punts helped flip the field and occasionally bailed out the offense during difficult situations. However, Oklahoma’s kickoff coverage was a different story. The Sooners allowed an average of 24.44 yards per kickoff return, ranking 121st in the nation. This statistic indicates that while their punt coverage was solid, Oklahoma struggled to contain opposing teams on kickoffs, an area that will need to be addressed going into 2025.
Kicking Game
The kicking game saw its fair share of ups and downs throughout the season. Zach Schmit, who had been replaced as the starting kicker by transfer Tyler Keltner early in the year, reclaimed his role midseason after Keltner faltered. Schmit finished the season strong, connecting on 9 of 11 field goals, including a career-long 56-yard field goal against Missouri. Schmit’s resurgence helped solidify a kicking game that had been uncertain early on, but a missed 52-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of the Armed Forces Bowl against Navy proved costly. That miss allowed Navy to score the go-ahead touchdown, which ultimately contributed to the Sooners’ disappointing 6-7 finish. Despite this setback, Schmit’s strong midseason play highlighted his potential moving forward. Keltner, meanwhile, finished 7-of-9 for the season, providing solid backup but not enough to reclaim the starting role permanently.
Fake Punts and Trick Plays
One area where Doug Deakin’s creativity stood out was in the use of fake punts. Elzinga, known for his punting ability, also showcased his versatility by completing all three of his throws on fake punt attempts for a combined 66 yards and three first downs. These plays were timely and effective, showing the ingenuity of the special teams coaching staff under Deakin’s guidance. Though not a game-changer in terms of overall production, these successful fake punts did add an element of surprise and helped to keep opposing defenses on their toes.
Areas for Improvement
Despite the improvements to special teams, there are several areas that still need significant work. The most glaring issue is the lack of explosive plays, especially in the return game. Oklahoma needs to find a dynamic return man who can consistently make an impact on special teams. While Bowen and Billy Bowman have shown potential, neither was able to deliver a truly game-changing return this season. Improving the consistency and explosiveness of both punt and kickoff returns will be a key focus heading into 2025.
Another area for improvement is kickoff coverage. While the Sooners were solid in punt coverage, their performance on kickoffs was subpar. Allowing an average of 24.44 yards per return is far from ideal, and improvements in this area will be critical to limiting opponents’ field position. Additionally, continuing to work on eliminating mistakes, such as muffed punts and missed field goals, will be crucial for Oklahoma’s special teams to reach its full potential.
Conclusion
In summary, Oklahoma’s special teams in 2024 were a tale of improvement tempered by inconsistency. Under the guidance of Doug Deakin, the Sooners saw a notable improvement in efficiency compared to 2023, but they still struggled to make significant plays in key moments. The lack of explosive returns, coupled with mistakes in coverage and kicking, kept the special teams unit from being a major asset for the team. Moving forward, the Sooners will need to address these areas of weakness to elevate their special teams to the level expected of a program like Oklahoma. With more stability in the kicking game and improvements in the return game, the Sooners could find themselves with one of the more dangerous special teams units in the Big 12 in 2025.
