LAWRENCE, Kan. — Trevor and Connor Knight went four years between touchdowns — a long time for the fraternal twin brothers who got used to the feeling at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas.
However, as time leaked off the clock during Oklahoma’s blowout of Kansas (0-8, 0-5 Big 12) Saturday, the two rekindled their connection with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Trevor to Connor, extending the OU (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) lead to 62-7.
“I'm telling you, it was déjà vu,” Trevor said. “I saw it all the way in, knew he had a good position on him, jumped up and made a really good catch. I was just ecstatic afterward.”
Trevor finished 6 for 9 on the day for 62 yards and a touchdown. Connor had just one reception — the score.
While Trevor has seen plenty of game action in 15 starts at quarterback, walk-on tight end Connor has fought for his playing time over the last four years at OU.
After redshirting in 2012 with his brother, Connor saw action in five games in 2013 and started Oklahoma’s last 20 at long snapper.
“It's been fun — getting in there, knocking some people around a little bit, contribute during some plays that are meaningful, like you said,” Connor said.
Although he’s seen playing time, he never got much of an opportunity to actually play tight end — until Saturday.
“Like I said, getting to watch (Connor) on special teams the last couple years is one of my favorite parts of the game,” Trevor said. “Now, to get a little time in there with him and then tonight, throw the touchdown, it's a dream come true. There's no words that really can describe it.”
Trevor’s career at OU hasn’t been without its own tumultuous moments. The junior has never started a full season at quarterback, splitting time with Blake Bell in 2013, sustaining a neck injury in 2014 and, finally, losing an offseason derby to Baker Mayfield this year.
Yet Trevor remains a team captain. He’s been just as excited as any other player on the Sooners sideline to watch his team succeed. According to his teammates, he’s never in a bad mood.
“You can pick out little things from every day that are worth it — that make this worth it,” Trevor said. “This is definitely one of those memories that obviously we'll be telling our kids about one day and everything like that. This is definitely one of those special moments that you're going to remember for the rest of your life.”
For Trevor and Connor’s parents, who have been on the playing time roller coaster alongside their sons, the touchdown might have meant more to them than anyone.
“They were ecstatic up in the stands, and that's what they live for,” Trevor said. “They love watching the Sooners, and they love the big wins and everything. But to see a connection like that, it's got to be special for them.”
Trevor has beaten Texas. He’s upset Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. He’s hurdled a Baylor defender in front of a student section that went absolutely nuts.
For all the ups and downs of his career, Trevor has experienced some special moments. According to him, however, none top watching his brother haul in his touchdown pass, clad in crimson and cream.
“It's something not a lot of people can relate to,” Trevor said. “Not a lot of people understand getting to play with your brother. It's a special deal.”
