{
  "id": 14049642,
  "title": "Texas special teams are giving up big plays and creating big problems for the 7th-ranked Longhorns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/texas-special-teams-are-giving-up-big-plays-and-creating-big-problems",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T21:44:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/uncategorized/2026/10/12/texas-special-teams-are-giving-up-big-plays-and-creating-big-problems-for-the-7th-ranked-longhorns"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Special teams are causing issues for Texas, the once top-ranked Longhorns. In their recent loss to Oklahoma, the punt team allowed key touchdowns following a long return and a blocked kick. Kickoffs were forced out of bounds, and return teams committed critical penalties and lost an onside kick. Despite these issues, coach Steve Sarkisian remains confident in special teams coordinator Jeff Banks and his team. Banks had previously contributed to Texas' special teams success, with Ryan Niblett excelling in punt returns and nearly fumbling a crucial return against Ohio State. The punt team also gave up a touchdown to Tennessee and fumbled an onside kick against the same team. Texas' struggles extend beyond special teams, as their offense has been inconsistent, missing kicks and failing to move the ball effectively. Sarkisian acknowledges the need to improve the offense, with Arch Manning facing challenges as well.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}