Special delivery: Texas uses big punt returns, turnovers to thwart Rice, 42-28

By Steve Habel/Senior Editor

AUSTIN, Texas — In years to come, folks likely will remember the Texas Longhorns’ 42-28 victory Saturday over Rice before 86,458 fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium as the coming-out party for quarterback Jerrod Heard, who earned his first college start.

But the real stars of the win in the Longhorns’ home-opener were the members of the UT special teams, namely the punt return unit, and the defense that forced just enough turnovers to thwart the Owls and allow Texas to escape with its first win of the season.

There no doubt that Texas got a needed [article-offer]