Longhorns’ punt return game still in good hands

By Steve Habel, Senior Contributing Writer

AUSTIN, Texas — When opposing teams have punted the ball to Texas this year, four things have happened: there have punts out of play, there been lukewarm returns, some fair catches and — ugh — fumbles.

Two of the latter happened in the Longhorns’ 36-30 Sept. 21 win over Oklahoma State, but Texas coach Tom Herman isn’t throwing his punt returners under the bus because of those mistakes.

Nor is he worried that [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]the miscues, first by freshman Jake Smith late in the first half against the Cowboys, then in the final minutes of the game by senior Brandon Jones, will continue.

“They’re both unique instances,” Herman said.

Herman even took the blame for Jones’ fumble, which occurred when Jones charged through traffic to try to field a short punt before it hit the turf and rolled out at Royal-Memorial Stadium. The Cowboys scored a touchdown seven plays later.

“We have harped on (Jones) for two years about fielding every punt because it drives you bananas as a head coach when you let punts drop and roll and you lose 20 yards because a guy won’t catch a darn punt,” Herman said. “We should have reminded him in the game, in that situation, if there is any stress on this, let the punt drop and let it roll, and we will take time off the clock, because the clock is more important at this point than the 10-15 yards that you could save us by being so aggressive. (Jones) was doing what he thought he was being coached to do.”

Texas has four fumbles as a team through the first four games, two of which have come on punts.

“I can’t commit a mistake like that with the game on the line,” Jones said after the win over the Cowboys. “It’s a catch I know I can make and I’ve made before.”

Smith’s drop, which also was in traffic and led to an Oklahoma State touchdown, was more of about poor technique than him faltering under pressure.

“Jake’s was more about fundamentals,” Herman said. “He let the ball get through his hands and his elbows got separated, so it’s just consistency with perfect technique that he’s got to work on.”

Expect both Smith (who has three returns this season for a total of 3 yards) and Jones (who has minus-2 yards in returns on two chances) to be fielding punts in separate and specific situations when the Longhorns leave the Lone Star State for the first time this season to play Saturday afternoon at West Virginia.
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