Cunningham ends Texas’ three-year punt-block drought

Jonathan Cunningham blocked a second-quarter punt in Texas’ 34-20 win over Missouri, giving the Longhorns their first punt block since the 2023 Red River Rivalry.

Special teams coordinator Jeff Banks overloaded the right side of Missouri’s protection with freshmen Jermaine Bishop and Kohen Brown. Missouri also had to account for returner Ryan Niblett, whose ability creates pressure on coverage units to control the direction of the punt.

Brown, who ran a sub-10.7 100-meter as a high school junior, attacked from the interior while taking an angle designed to avoid contact with punter Brunno Reus. His pressure forced Reus closer to the line of scrimmage and opened a path for Cunningham, who sliced past the deep snapper.

Missouri linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr., a fifth-year player with almost 200 career special teams snaps, managed only glancing contact with Cunningham’s outside shoulder. Cunningham then reached the punt cleanly, Texas’ special teams had made several high-profile mistakes this season.

Cunningham signed with Texas in the 2025 class as a consensus three-star prospect ranked just inside the top-500 nationally in the 247Sports Composite. Listed at 198 pounds, the second-year nickel has played 23 defensive snaps this season, almost entirely in blowouts, but has established a role as a core special teams contributor.

The block gave Texas possession at the Missouri 39-yard line. The Longhorns did not turn the short field into a touchdown, instead tying the game 10-10 with a field goal after Steve Sarkisian elected to kick on fourth-and-1 from the 19.

Texas ranks 24th nationally in ESPN’s SP+ special teams ratings. Place kicker Gianni Spetic’s efficiency has helped that standing. On Cunningham’s block, Missouri had to handle Banks’ rushers while controlling the punt’s direction to limit Niblett’s return threat.

Why it matters

Texas had not blocked a punt since the 2023 Red River Rivalry. Cunningham’s play provided a positive result for a special teams unit that has committed several high-profile mistakes this season.