Special teams was an area that the Oklahoma Sooners needed drastic improvement. The punting situation improved over the second half of last season, but the return game and the kicking game didn’t help the Sooners much.
Well, one game into the 2024 season, the kicking game looks improved. Transfer kicker [autotag]Tyler Keltner[/autotag] was 3-for-3, including makes 50, 42, and 24 yards. He was also perfect on his six extra-point attempts. Keltner was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts and earned Oklahoma’s first weekly award in the SEC.
After transferring from Florida State in the spring, Keltner battled with incumbent starter [autotag]Zach Schmit[/autotag] this offseason. Keltner earned the first opportunity to hold down the kicking job and came through in his first game action as a Sooner.
It’s an important revelation for the Sooners, who will need their special teams units to be good to have a chance to contend in 2024. With Oklahoma’s defense leading the way and the offense under transition, OU can’t afford to leave points on the field.
Keltner’s performance provides a lot of confidence in the kicking situation moving forward. He’ll get another opportunity to ply his craft this Saturday evening when the Sooners take on the Houston Cougars.
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