Oklahoma Sooners coach called his shot last week with a play that will end up in Red River Rivalry lore
The Oklahoma Sooners knew they needed strong special teams play to beat Texas. They also knew they could draw up a special-teams play called “Golden Hat.”
The Oklahoma Sooners knew they needed strong special teams play to beat Texas. They also knew they could draw up a special-teams play called “Golden Hat.” They have one of the country’s best special teams coordinators, who doesn’t get talked about enough.
“I’m just really proud of our guys and the sense of pride they brought Oklahoma fans,” special teams coordinator Doug Deakin said Monday night.
Deakin also told reporters Monday night that he called his shot last week. According to George Stoia of Soonerscoop, Deakin said he named the punt-block play that scored the touchdown against Texas, “Golden Hat,” during practice last week because he knew it would help them win the Golden Hat.
And he was beyond right. Per Stoia, Deakin also said he took a lot of pride in the win because they were 0-2 against Texas, and he felt like a “fraud.” That may sound harsh, but it’s what helped him. Of course, everyone on special teams made that play.
The players deserve some love for executing the blocked punt play to perfection
Danny Okoye, Parker Livingstone, and Rocky Beers were the three guys in the punter’s face when he tried to drop it on his foot. But Dakoda Fields’ effort to grab it and get a knee in bounds for the touchdown was insane. And that part of the play probably wasn’t drawn up. The block was, but to get the touchdown makes it that much more impressive.
Deakin has had a very good special teams unit the last few years. Sure, the offense has been terrible. We all know that. And the defense has bailed them out a million times. But what doesn’t get talked about enough is how elite the special teams have been at times, too.
Think about how good the punt team has been at pinning opponents deep. Think about how good the field goal unit has been. And of course, they haven’t given up many big special-teams plays over the years, either. The Sooners need to execute on special teams because it can change a game. We saw that firsthand Saturday.
