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Pair of Sooners specialists named to annual award watch lists

Pair of Sooners specialists named to annual award watch lists

USA Today5 days ago
The Oklahoma Sooners spent time in the transfer portal this offseason working to remake their special teams units after Zach Schmit and Luke Elzinga ran out of eligibility after last season. The Sooners brought in Tate Sandell from UTEP and Jacob Ulrich from Kennesaw State to take over as the place kicker and punter.
Sandell was named to the Lou Groza Award watch list, given to the nation's best kicker, on Friday. Ulrich was named to the Ray Guy Award watch list, which goes to the best punter in college football.
Sandell arrived in the spring portal after a strong season with the Miners, converting 19 of 23 field goals, including 17 of 18 within 49 yards, and was perfect within 40 yards. Ulrich averaged 45.6 yards per punt and was fifth in the nation in punts downed inside the 20.
The Oklahoma Sooners expect to be one of the better teams in the nation in 2025, and if they are, they'll need Sandell and Ulrich to come through when called upon.
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