Austin, Texas — The excitement in college football has been amplified by the unpredictable nature of special teams play this season. With critical moments determined by crucial kicks or game-changing returns, the stakes rise even higher as the semifinals approach this week, featuring matchups such as Notre Dame against Penn State on Thursday at the Orange Bowl and Ohio State taking on Texas at the Cotton Bowl on Friday night.
In terms of kicking performances, Notre Dame’s Mitch Jeter has seemingly found his rhythm just when it matters most. After battling injuries that sidelined him for part of the regular season, the graduate transfer from South Carolina entered the quarterfinal against Georgia with mixed statistics—8 of 15 successful field goals. However, he turned things around dramatically by making kicks from 44, 48, and 47 yards, setting a historic mark for the College Football Playoff with three successful attempts from beyond 40 yards in a single game.
Conversely, Texas kicker Bert Auburn is on a quest to regain his confidence. With a remarkable 66 career field goals under his belt, which leads the university, he’d hoped to establish himself in the company of past Longhorns like Phil Dawson and Justin Tucker. Yet, this season has been a challenge with a completion rate of just 16 out of 25 attempts, and notably, only 6 out of 14 from over 40 yards. Auburn’s recent struggles were evident during the quarterfinal against Arizona State, where he missed two crucial kicks in the waning moments of regular time—I the first was a 48-yarder that veered wide, and a 38-yard attempt that struck the upright—but Texas eventually secured a victory in double overtime.
Acknowledging his importance to the team, defensive back Jahdae Barron expressed belief in Auburn’s abilities. He mentioned that the team is fully supportive of him and highlighted the culture within the team, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus in high-pressure situations.
Additionally, remarkable returns characterized the quarterfinal games for both Texas and Notre Dame. The Longhorns’ Silas Bolden electrified the crowd with a spectacular 75-yard punt return for a touchdown, helping Texas take an early lead against Arizona State. Although his receiving stats may not have met expectations—22 receptions for 243 yards—his ability to make a significant impact in the return game proved invaluable.
For Notre Dame, it was a crucial 98-yard kickoff return by Jaydon Harrison at the start of the second half that shifted momentum decisively in their favor against Georgia. This play increased their lead to 20-3, catching the Bulldogs off guard after a tightly contested first half.
In an interesting final twist, Notre Dame employed a clever trick play to maintain its lead. Faced with a fourth-and-short situation deep in their territory, head coach Marcus Freeman initially sent out the punt team only to quickly substitute the offensive unit back onto the field. The reaction from Georgia’s sideline, scrambling to adjust, resulted in an offside penalty, allowing Notre Dame to secure the first down and effectively eat away precious game clock minutes.
Freeman expressed confidence in the team’s execution of the play, mentioning that their practice sessions had prepared them well. The aim was to induce panic in the opposing team, and it proved successful in sealing the victory for Notre Dame.
