Why Steve Sarkisian’s talk may have led to the Texas kicker’s miss

On By Littum

Before Texas football kicker Bert Auburn went out for the potential game-winning kick against Arizona State on Wednesday, coach Steve Sarkisian pulled him aside for some words of encouragement.

The two were seen smiling at each other as Sarkisian tried to loosen the nerves of the former all-conference kicker. Auburn has been a problem this season for Texas, hitting just 64% of his kicks and going 6 of 14 on kicks beyond 40 yards. Fans know the rest of the story. Auburn missed the 38-yard field goal to send the game to overtime, which ended in a Longhorns victory.

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While Sarkisian meant it well, fv Alabama coach Nick Saban said so on The Pat McAfee Show that he would not have said anything to Auburn before the firing.

“When I saw it happen, I said ‘I’m never talking to these guys right before the kick,'” Saban said. “Never.”

Many athletes operate on routine. They may have a strict schedule they stick to to help reset their mind and stay calm during the biggest moments. In 2022, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker hit a 58-yard kick to give his team a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. After the game, Tucker emphasized how little he communicates with the coaching staff in pressure situations and how important it is to follow his routine.

Under normal circumstances, or in practice, Sarkisian would not have given Auburn a pep talk. But this was the biggest kick of Auburn’s career.

“I didn’t want them to think it was a different kick than every other kick they had to make – and be so worried about the outcome of the kick that they didn’t just kick with confidence and go through their normal rhythm. how they do what they do,” Saban said.

Texas is about to face Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals, and Auburn may once again be called upon to hit a clutch kick. Next time, though, Sarkisian might have to let Auburn’s legs do the talking.

“I always go back to golf man. As soon as you think you’re going to make a shot, you’re going to make a bad shot. You’ve got to be in the right mindset the whole time,” Saban said.

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