A strong case can be made that no program has played better
on its special teams in recent years than Oklahoma. Time and again the Sooners have
blown games wide open with electric and innovative special teams play. Bob
Stoops' commitment to special teams performance is evidenced by the number of
first-team players who participate on those units. The wisdom of that move, and
the program's overall devotion to special teams play, is found in the
staggering numbers that relate to every possible facet of the kicking and
return games.
The Sooners have 22 special teams touchdowns under their
current head coach. Thirteen of those came on punt returns by four different
players. Oklahoma
has blocked 20 kicks since head coach Bob Stoops arrived in Norman in 1999. Antonio Perkins tied an NCAA
record during his career at Oklahoma
(2001-04) with eight punt returns for touchdowns. Perkins had three against UCLA in
2003. Oklahoma
special teams have converted on four scoring plays (three touchdowns and one
two-point conversion) off faked kicks since 1999. Out of 10 two-point conversion attempts by
the Sooners during the Stoops era, the Sooners have converted 7.
Under Stoops OU special teams have had 3 All-Americans, one
Mosi Tatupu winner, two Lou Groza Award finalists and one Ray Guy Award
finalist.