Oklahoma State Isn’t Treating Special Teams Like an Afterthought Under Eric Morris

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Everybody knows what Eric Morris wants offensively.

Fast. Explosive. Aggressive.

Score points and make defenses uncomfortable. Oklahoma State’s special teams are being built with exactly the same mentality.

Special teams coordinator Drew Svoboda made that abundantly clear when discussing his approach during fall camp.

The Cowboys want to block punts. They want explosive returns.

They’re willing to use offensive and defensive starters to make it happen. They want to flip the field.

They might even fake a punt if the opportunity presents itself.

In other words: Oklahoma State isn't putting its special teams on the field simply to hand possession back to the offense or defense. It wants that unit changing games.

‘Just Get Us the Ball Back’ Isn't Good Enough

This was the quote that immediately caught my attention.

Svoboda was explaining Oklahoma State's mentality in the punt-return game when he said the Cowboys aren't satisfied merely securing possession.

“We’re not a just a ‘just get us the ball back’ mentality team,” Svoboda said. “If that’s the case, don’t even practice punt return.”

That's fantastic. Because he's right.

If your only objective is avoiding catastrophe, why invest all those practice reps into creating returns?

Oklahoma State wants more. Svoboda's goal is to steal field position before Morris' offense ever takes a snap.

Gain 10 yards on a punt return and you've essentially earned a free first down.

Do that consistently and suddenly Mestemaker and company are playing on a shorter field all afternoon. That's hidden yardage that can change games.

Nobody Is Too Important for Special Teams

Here's another thing I love about Svoboda's philosophy.

Your position on the depth chart doesn't automatically determine whether you play special teams.

If you're the best person for the job? You're playing.

That could mean a starting receiver. A starting linebacker. A backup.

Maybe even a third-string player who happens to possess one specific skill Oklahoma State needs.

Svoboda said the Cowboys will use whoever gives them the best chance to accomplish the assignment.

That's how special teams should work.

Not as the place where you simply throw everyone who isn't starting.

As an actual phase of football with specific jobs requiring specific skills.

Wyatt Young Is the Perfect Example

Want proof? Look at Wyatt Young.

Young finished among the nation's top three in receiving yards last season.

Yet there he was chasing down punts for North Texas.

He played across multiple special-teams units and blocked a punt in the season opener. Think about that.

One of your best offensive players is valuable enough that plenty of coaches might want to protect him.

Svoboda? If you have a knack for blocking punts, he's putting you out there. That's aggressive and it shows that special teams isn't being treated like some secondary responsibility.

North Texas Already Proved the Philosophy Can Work

This isn't just something Oklahoma State's staff is talking about in August. There are results behind it.

North Texas blocked two punts last season, tied for ninth nationally, and blocked two kicks as well.

Those plays can completely change games. A blocked punt can turn a defensive stop into immediate points. A blocked field goal can erase three. A return can flip 20 yards of field position without the offense doing anything. When you're trying to rebuild a program, those margins matter.

OSU Has Some Dangerous Return Options

This is where things get fun. Oklahoma State appears to have legitimate candidates capable of turning Svoboda's aggressive philosophy into explosive plays.

Start with Chris Barnes. The Wake Forest transfer returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown last season and averaged 37.7 yards across seven returns—fourth nationally among players with at least five attempts.

Then there's Miles Coleman. We've already talked about why he landed on the Paul Hornung Award watch list. He isn't simply a receiver.

He returned punts at North Texas and gives Morris and Svoboda another player who can impact the game in multiple ways.

Apparently even Caleb Hawkins could get involved. Good luck tackling that guy in space.

The Aggression Extends to Punting

Even Oklahoma State's punter fits this philosophy. Stephen F. Austin transfer Lachie Pozzobon is currently leading the competition for that job.

He's not simply a guy who stands there and boots the football as far as possible.

The Australian has different kicks in his arsenal and gives OSU multiple ways to manipulate field position.

Svoboda talked about his ability to use spirals, end-over-end kicks and directional techniques.

Then came another important detail: Oklahoma State isn't afraid to fake it.

North Texas did it in its final game last season. That threat alone matters. Opponents have to prepare for it.

Sam Keltner Brings Another Oklahoma State Connection

The kicking competition also has a nice personal angle.

SMU transfer Sam Keltner appears to have the inside track at kicker after making 14 of 20 field goals last season, including six from at least 40 yards.

Like Hawkins, Oklahoma State means something more to him. Keltner's father and sister attended OSU, and he grew up a Cowboy fan.

He said he spent roughly an hour in the portal before Oklahoma State offered.

Then? Decision made.

That's another player who understands exactly what wearing the uniform means before ever taking the field.

Final Thoughts

Oklahoma State's special teams don't need to become the biggest story of the season.

If they're doing their job properly, they might quietly make every other part of the team better.

Shorter fields for Mestemaker. Longer fields for the defense.

Extra possessions. Explosive returns. Blocked kicks. Maybe even a fake or two.

Svoboda doesn't want Oklahoma State merely getting the football back.

He wants the Cowboys to do something with those opportunities before the offense ever steps onto the field.

When Eric Morris talks about bringing aggressive football back to Stillwater, we're beginning to realize he doesn't mean only when Oklahoma State has the ball. He means everywhere.

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