2003 Season Preview: Special Teams

SoonerSports.com presents a position-by-position preview of the 2003 Sooners complete with analysis and photo galleries. This is the final installment with a focus on the 2003 Sooner special teams.

Oklahoma's special teams were outstanding in 2002 and most of the key players on those units return. The kickers and specialists are detailed below, but other facets deserve some mention, too.

For instance, OU blocked three field goals and four punts last season. Also, Sooner opponents averaged a meager 6.6 yards per punt return. The foes did take two kickoffs back for TDs, but both came in the waning moments of OU blowout victories.

Even with those lengthy returns, Oklahoma opponents mustered just 17.8 yards per return.

Kicking
Players with starting experience at the position: K Trey DiCarlo, P Blake Ferguson, KO Pete Cuva, LS Jacob Rice.

When Oklahoma's expected placekicker did not report, the Sooners packed the recruitment of its next kicker into something like two days. The positive result was surprising.

Trey DiCarlo did not join the team until August and then proceeded to become the most successful freshman kicker in Sooner history. He drilled 16-of-22 field goals, including a school-record-tying four at Texas A&M, and 58-of-62 extra points.

DiCarlo will spend the off-season looking to add strength.

In the latter stages of the season, Pete Cuva took over the kickoff chores and showed prowess with the long kick and the pooch.

Punter Blake Ferguson also returns. His average of 38.5 yards was less than he might have wanted, but 17 of his kicks were downed inside the 20.

Long snappers are noticed only when they misfire. Hence, few can recite the name of Jacob Rice. Last season, as a true freshman walk-on, he stepped into a pressure-packed situation and performed flawlessly.

Returns
Players with starting experience at the position: Antonio Perkins.

In two words, Antonio Perkins. Last season, he returned three punts for touchdowns. He also returned kickoffs, a chore he shared with Antwone Savage.

OU must find a replacement for Savage, an explosive player, who averaged nearly 28 yards per kickoff return over the 2001 and 2002 seasons. Jejuan Rankins is one who could step forward. He was known as a returner during his high school days and Sooner coaches are anxious to see him on the bigger stage.

[ View 2003 Special Teams Photo Gallery ]

Next: Coaches

2003 Football Preview	-
Monday, Aug. 4	Season Outlook
Tuesday, Aug. 5	Quarterbacks
Wednesday, Aug. 6	Running Backs
Thursday, Aug. 7	Receivers
Friday, Aug. 8	Offensive Line
Monday, Aug. 11	Defensive Line
Tuesday, Aug. 12	Defensive Ends
Wednesday, Aug. 13	Defensive Backs
Thursday, Aug. 14	Linebackers
Friday, Aug. 15	Special Teams

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