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Texas may use multiple kickers in its College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Ohio State.
Bert Auburn was once thought of as one of the most reliable kickers in the country, but his recent struggles have caused the Longhorns to re-think the position going into the Cotton Bowl. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Texas may use backup kicker Will Stone on field goals in this game.
Thamel notes that Stone took reps with Texas’s first-team long snapper during pre-game warmups. He said Stone could be the choice particularly if Texas attempts any long field goals in this game.
The uncertainty comes after Auburn missed 2 clutch kicks late in Texas’s win over Arizona State in the quarterfinal round. The Longhorns were able to survive both misses and still won in overtime, but clearly there are still some concerns about his consistency going into this game.
That bore itself out on Texas’s first drive of the game. The Longhorns drove down the field and were on the edge of field goal range when Steve Sarkisian had a decision to make on 4th and 3. Rather than attempt a 53-yard field goal, Sarkisian opted to go for it — and UT ended up turning it over on downs.
Auburn went 16-of-25 on field goal attempts during the 2024 season.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
