Hunnicutt on Groza list, Way snubbed by Ray Guy

Special Teams, the unit that has made Sooner fans cringe for seasons. Stoops has turned Oklahoma in to one of the best offensive units in the country, and with Mike Stoops back, OU could be as balanced as ever. However, what will be the story of the 2012 OU special teams?

Oklahoma brings back sophomore placekicker Michael Hunnicutt, who had a solid start to his career at Oklahoma. He made 21 of 24 field goals, and finished the his freshman year with 118 points. Hunnicutt hit a 53-yard attempt, which is the longest field goal in the Stoops era. Also, his 21 made field goals was the most by a freshman in Big 12 history.

Not bad for a guy in his first season, and he didn’t even start until the third game of the season. It certainly has given him some national attention. Hunnicutt has been named to the 2012 Lou Groza Award watch list; the award, obviously, going to the best placekicker in college football.

Hunnicutt put up big numbers in 2011, but if the offense can find the endzone more often, Hunnicutt’s services will not be needed as much. The Sooners are deep at running back, and have two quarterbacks with real in-game experience. Though, if OU needs a field goal, they are in good hands with Hunnicutt.

They are in great hands with Tress Way as well. Way, a senior, is as good of a punter as you can get. At 6-1, 218 lbs., Way will be huge for the Oklahoma punting team. In 2010, Way boomed a career-long 85-yard punt. In 2011, he booted a career-high 34 punts inside the 20. His numbers did drop his junior year, but it is still shocking that with his stats he was left off the 2012 Ray Guy Award watch list.

Maybe their thought process was Oklahoma won’t be punting much in 2012, which I would have no complaints about. However, Tress Way has put up big numbers his entire career, and gets overlooked, because of OU’s high-powered offense. No one outside of Oklahoma probably watches too many OU games to their entirety, and SportsCenter certainly doesn’t show highlights from any punt team, unless someone takes it back to the house.

It’s just surprising, because Tress Way is a bit of fan favorite in Norman. He blasts the ball deep in to enemy territory, and Oklahoma gets to enjoy having him around for one more year. Hopefully Way in his senior season, and Hunnicutt in his second year, can help the Sooners reclaim the national crown after a 12-year hiatus.