Following a string of missed field goals during the 2024 season, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has intensified the kicking competition between Bert Auburn and Will Stone.
Auburn’s two late misses in the final minutes of the Peach Bowl nearly cost Texas a win over Arizona State.
Steve Sarkisian Demands More from Auburn and Stone
Sarkisian is sending a clear message to his special teams unit: the margin for error is shrinking. After a season of costly missed kicks from Auburn and growing pressure for Stone to rise to the moment, Sarkisian told reporters he plans to “ramp up the setting in practice” to simulate high-pressure scenarios and evaluate the duo.
In a recent post by CJ Vogel, Sarkisian emphasized that consistency with the battery—snap, hold and kick—is just as crucial as the kicker’s reliability. The message: the entire field goal operation is under review, not just the man putting foot to ball.
Bert Auburn: From Record-Breaker to Risk
Once considered the most reliable leg in the Big 12, Auburn struggled through a rough 2024 campaign. Despite holding school records for most career field goals made (66) and most points in a single season (143 in 2023), his 6-for-14 performance from 40-plus yards has become a concern.
Auburn’s missed field goals late in the Peach Bowl nearly sealed Texas’ fate. While the Longhorns pulled off a double-overtime win against Arizona State, Sarkisian’s confidence clearly took a hit.
Will Stone: The Challenger
Stone has waited patiently for his opportunity, managing kickoff duties while Auburn commanded field goal attention. The former No. 3-ranked kicker in the Class of 2022 has yet to attempt a collegiate field goal, but Sarkisian praised his leg strength and hinted that Stone’s moment may soon arrive.
With practice pressure rising this week, the battle for the starting kicker spot could be decided in real time.
Sarkisian’s comments reflect a full-system approach to fixing Texas’ field goal inconsistencies. By spotlighting the “battery”—the trio of snapper, holder and kicker—he’s holding the entire unit accountable.
Mechanics, timing and the ability to deliver under pressure will all be evaluated this week.
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With the 2025 season approaching, Texas fans will be watching the kicker situation closely. Whether Auburn bounces back or Stone takes over, special teams performance will be key to the Longhorns’ national championship hopes.
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