Big 12: Tress Way
Lunch links: Justin Blackmon hits the links
March, 28, 2012
Mar 28
12:00
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Anyone want to go to JJ's for some after dinner omelets?
- Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville filed to dismiss the complaint against him in the case involving him and former business partner John David Stroud and Stroud’s business entities. The argument lists nine reasons why it should be dismissed.
- How did TCU coach Gary Patterson spend his spring break? By boning up on his Big 12 game film, writes Brent Shirley of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Neal Brown provided some insight into the rehab for Texas Tech running backs Eric Stephens and DeAndre Washington with Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
- Matt Crossman of Sporting News profiles Justin Blackmon after a day out on the golf course. Here's Blackmon on his favorite moment at OSU and why he stayed in Stillwater to train for the draft.
- Iowa State center Tom Farniok's first season on the field was an eye-opener. Andrew Logue of the Des Moines Register tells you how.
- Oklahoma's stadium may be getting an upgrade soon.
- Kansas opened spring practice on Tuesday, and Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star has the first look at what to expect from the Jayhawks.
- The change in head man is fairly obvious. Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World tells you how.
- West Virginia's new quarterback is adjusting to the speed of the college game.
- The Fiesta Bowl has elected a new chairman of the board of directors.
- R.J. Young of The Oklahoman has a Q&A with Oklahoma punter Tress Way.
Here's the All-Bowl team from the Big 12, recognizing the best single-game performances from this year's bowls.
QB: Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State: Weeden threw for 399 yards and three touchdowns (it could have been four if a game-winning TD pass to Colton Chelf hadn't been overturned) on 29-of-42 passing. His first pass was intercepted, but he had an otherwise solid night and ran for his first career touchdown in the 41-38 win against Stanford.
RB: Terrance Ganaway, Baylor: The Big 12 rushing champion ran for 200 yards and five touchdowns in the Bears' 67-56 win against Washington in the Alamo Bowl.
RB: Ben Malena, Texas A&M: Malena stepped in for the injured Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael and had a solid game in the Aggies' 33-22 win against Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. He finished with 77 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, showcasing his physical running style. He also caught six passes for 36 yards.
FB: Trey Millard, Oklahoma: Millard carried the ball four times for 21 yards but also helped pave the way for three Blake Bell touchdowns from the Belldozer formation.
WR: Ryan Swope, Texas A&M: Jeff Fuller had better numbers in the bowl, but it was aided by big catches late. Swope kept the Aggies offense humming for most of the game, with eight catches for 105 yards in the win against Northwestern.
WR: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State: Blackmon was the best offensive player in the Big 12 bowls, spearheading Oklahoma State's offense in the Fiesta Bowl win with eight catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
WR: Colton Chelf, Oklahoma State: Chelf made two huge catches over the middle early and a third nearly won the game, but his touchdown was overturned. Still, OSU doesn't win its first BCS bowl without Chelf's 97 yards on five catches.
TE: Michael Egnew, Missouri: By Egnew's standards, it was a quiet game, but he played well with a 25-yard grab and three catches for 39 yards in Mizzou's win.
OL: Grant Garner, Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State's offensive line is keyed by Garner, who helped the Cowboys handle Stanford's blitzes well and give Weeden plenty of time in the Fiesta Bowl win.
OL: Philip Blake, Baylor: Baylor ran for 482 yards and scored 67 points in its win against Washington in the Alamo Bowl. Blake's the man who keyed it all.
OL: Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State: Adcock's the best overall talent on OSU's line, and he showed it in the win against Stanford.
OL: Dan Hoch, Missouri: Missouri rolled over one of the nation's best rush defenses, North Carolina, for 337 yards on the ground.
OL: Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M: The Aggies' offense was potent for most of its win against Northwestern, and Joeckel was solid in run and pass blocking for the balanced attack.
DEFENSE
DL: Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas: Jeffcoat made five tackles, two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in the Longhorns' 21-10 win against Cal. The Texas defense dominated, and the defensive line's play was the catalyst. He did it all with a torn pectoral muscle, too. He'll miss the spring after having it surgically repaired this week.
DL: Adam Davis, Kansas State: Davis sacked Arkansas' Tyler Wilson twice and had three tackles for loss with a forced fumble in the loss to the Razorbacks.
DL: R.J. Washington, Oklahoma: With Ronnell Lewis ineligible, Washington showed up big in the win against Iowa. He had two sacks and made three tackles.
DL: Tony Jerod-Eddie, Texas A&M: Jerod-Eddie made eight tackles and had a sack in the win against Northwestern.
LB: Damontre Moore, Texas A&M: Moore was a monster in the season finale for the Aggies, making nine tackles and forcing a fumble on his lone sack.
LB: A.J. Klein, Iowa State: Klein flew around for the Cyclones, making 15 tackles in a physical game against Rutgers, though the Cyclones lost.
LB: Jordan Hicks, Texas: Could this be a big piece of momentum heading into 2012? Hicks starred with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup in the win against Cal.
CB: Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma: Fleming was the Big 12's best defensive player of the bowls and the best player on the field in the Insight Bowl, making seven tackles, intercepting a pass and returning it 21 yards. He also broke up three passes.
CB: David Garrett, Kansas State: Garrett made 10 tackles and had two tackles for loss in the loss to Arkansas.
S: Kenny Vaccaro, Texas: He hates the nickname Machete, but Vaccaro was hacking away at Cal. He made three tackles, including two for loss and a sack.
S: Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State: Even if it was illegal (it was), Martin had the hit of the bowl season with a huge blast on Stanford's Ty Montgomery that took Montgomery's helmet off on the opening drive. He finished with nine tackles and a tackle for loss, with a fumble recovery.
SPECIALISTS
P: Tress Way, Oklahoma: Way averaged 50 yards on his six punts, including a 67-yarder.
PK: Randy Bullock, Texas A&M: Bullock made all four of his field goal attempts, including two from beyond 40 yards.
PR: Dustin Harris, Texas A&M: Harris looked the part of the Big 12's best, returning a punt 35 yards and finishing with 54 yards on his four returns.
KR: Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State: Gilbert had a 50-yard return and returned his four kicks for a total of 136 yards.
QB: Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State: Weeden threw for 399 yards and three touchdowns (it could have been four if a game-winning TD pass to Colton Chelf hadn't been overturned) on 29-of-42 passing. His first pass was intercepted, but he had an otherwise solid night and ran for his first career touchdown in the 41-38 win against Stanford.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Darren AbateBaylor's Terrance Ganaway rushed for five TDs in the Alamo Bowl.
AP Photo/Darren AbateBaylor's Terrance Ganaway rushed for five TDs in the Alamo Bowl.RB: Ben Malena, Texas A&M: Malena stepped in for the injured Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael and had a solid game in the Aggies' 33-22 win against Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. He finished with 77 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, showcasing his physical running style. He also caught six passes for 36 yards.
FB: Trey Millard, Oklahoma: Millard carried the ball four times for 21 yards but also helped pave the way for three Blake Bell touchdowns from the Belldozer formation.
WR: Ryan Swope, Texas A&M: Jeff Fuller had better numbers in the bowl, but it was aided by big catches late. Swope kept the Aggies offense humming for most of the game, with eight catches for 105 yards in the win against Northwestern.
WR: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State: Blackmon was the best offensive player in the Big 12 bowls, spearheading Oklahoma State's offense in the Fiesta Bowl win with eight catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
WR: Colton Chelf, Oklahoma State: Chelf made two huge catches over the middle early and a third nearly won the game, but his touchdown was overturned. Still, OSU doesn't win its first BCS bowl without Chelf's 97 yards on five catches.
TE: Michael Egnew, Missouri: By Egnew's standards, it was a quiet game, but he played well with a 25-yard grab and three catches for 39 yards in Mizzou's win.
OL: Grant Garner, Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State's offensive line is keyed by Garner, who helped the Cowboys handle Stanford's blitzes well and give Weeden plenty of time in the Fiesta Bowl win.
OL: Philip Blake, Baylor: Baylor ran for 482 yards and scored 67 points in its win against Washington in the Alamo Bowl. Blake's the man who keyed it all.
OL: Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State: Adcock's the best overall talent on OSU's line, and he showed it in the win against Stanford.
OL: Dan Hoch, Missouri: Missouri rolled over one of the nation's best rush defenses, North Carolina, for 337 yards on the ground.
OL: Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M: The Aggies' offense was potent for most of its win against Northwestern, and Joeckel was solid in run and pass blocking for the balanced attack.
DEFENSE
DL: Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas: Jeffcoat made five tackles, two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in the Longhorns' 21-10 win against Cal. The Texas defense dominated, and the defensive line's play was the catalyst. He did it all with a torn pectoral muscle, too. He'll miss the spring after having it surgically repaired this week.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Matt StrasenKansas State defensive end Adam Davis, 97, had two sacks and forced this first-half fumble by Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson in the Cotton Bowl.
AP Photo/Matt StrasenKansas State defensive end Adam Davis, 97, had two sacks and forced this first-half fumble by Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson in the Cotton Bowl.DL: R.J. Washington, Oklahoma: With Ronnell Lewis ineligible, Washington showed up big in the win against Iowa. He had two sacks and made three tackles.
DL: Tony Jerod-Eddie, Texas A&M: Jerod-Eddie made eight tackles and had a sack in the win against Northwestern.
LB: Damontre Moore, Texas A&M: Moore was a monster in the season finale for the Aggies, making nine tackles and forcing a fumble on his lone sack.
LB: A.J. Klein, Iowa State: Klein flew around for the Cyclones, making 15 tackles in a physical game against Rutgers, though the Cyclones lost.
LB: Jordan Hicks, Texas: Could this be a big piece of momentum heading into 2012? Hicks starred with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup in the win against Cal.
CB: Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma: Fleming was the Big 12's best defensive player of the bowls and the best player on the field in the Insight Bowl, making seven tackles, intercepting a pass and returning it 21 yards. He also broke up three passes.
CB: David Garrett, Kansas State: Garrett made 10 tackles and had two tackles for loss in the loss to Arkansas.
S: Kenny Vaccaro, Texas: He hates the nickname Machete, but Vaccaro was hacking away at Cal. He made three tackles, including two for loss and a sack.
S: Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State: Even if it was illegal (it was), Martin had the hit of the bowl season with a huge blast on Stanford's Ty Montgomery that took Montgomery's helmet off on the opening drive. He finished with nine tackles and a tackle for loss, with a fumble recovery.
SPECIALISTS
P: Tress Way, Oklahoma: Way averaged 50 yards on his six punts, including a 67-yarder.
PK: Randy Bullock, Texas A&M: Bullock made all four of his field goal attempts, including two from beyond 40 yards.
PR: Dustin Harris, Texas A&M: Harris looked the part of the Big 12's best, returning a punt 35 yards and finishing with 54 yards on his four returns.
KR: Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State: Gilbert had a 50-yard return and returned his four kicks for a total of 136 yards.
Instant analysis: Oklahoma 31, Iowa 14
December, 31, 2011
12/31/11
1:46
AM ET
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Sooners took a three-touchdown lead into the fourth quarter, then held on to secure their third consecutive bowl victory.

Turning point: After two fourth-quarter-touchdowns, the Hawkeyes owned the momentum with just over 5 minutes to play. But with the ball at the Iowa 43-yard line, Oklahoma turned to the Belldozer package to convert a crucial third-and-2. Quarterback Blake Bell faked the jet sweep to Kameel Jackson to the right, then rumbled left off tackle for 7 yards and a first down. Michael Hunnicutt capped the drive with a 35-yard field goal to put the game away.
Player of the game: OU cornerback Jamell Fleming made himself some money, blanketing All-Big Ten wideout Marvin McNutt all night. McNutt was limited to just four catches for 46 yards despite numerous passes thrown his direction. Fleming also picked off a James Vandenberg pass in the first quarter and returned it to the Iowa 5 to set up OU’s first score. Fleming finished with seven tackles and three pass breakups.
Unsung hero of the game: OU punter Tress Way kept the field position in the Sooners’ favor all night. He tied an Insight Bowl record with a 67-yard punt from inside the OU 5-yard line. Way finished the night with a 50.3 average on six punts.
Stat of the game: With a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Trent Ratterree in the third quarter, Landry Jones snapped a streak of 15 consecutive quarters without a touchdown pass. Jones had been stuck on 28 touchdown passes since the Texas A&M game on Nov. 5, when leading receiver Ryan Broyles suffered a season-ending knee injury.
What it means: It wasn’t pretty, especially on offense, but the Sooners prevailed to take a little momentum into the offseason after a disappointing end to the regular season. OU should be a, if not the, favorite to win the Big 12 next season.

Turning point: After two fourth-quarter-touchdowns, the Hawkeyes owned the momentum with just over 5 minutes to play. But with the ball at the Iowa 43-yard line, Oklahoma turned to the Belldozer package to convert a crucial third-and-2. Quarterback Blake Bell faked the jet sweep to Kameel Jackson to the right, then rumbled left off tackle for 7 yards and a first down. Michael Hunnicutt capped the drive with a 35-yard field goal to put the game away.
Player of the game: OU cornerback Jamell Fleming made himself some money, blanketing All-Big Ten wideout Marvin McNutt all night. McNutt was limited to just four catches for 46 yards despite numerous passes thrown his direction. Fleming also picked off a James Vandenberg pass in the first quarter and returned it to the Iowa 5 to set up OU’s first score. Fleming finished with seven tackles and three pass breakups.
Unsung hero of the game: OU punter Tress Way kept the field position in the Sooners’ favor all night. He tied an Insight Bowl record with a 67-yard punt from inside the OU 5-yard line. Way finished the night with a 50.3 average on six punts.
Stat of the game: With a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Trent Ratterree in the third quarter, Landry Jones snapped a streak of 15 consecutive quarters without a touchdown pass. Jones had been stuck on 28 touchdown passes since the Texas A&M game on Nov. 5, when leading receiver Ryan Broyles suffered a season-ending knee injury.
What it means: It wasn’t pretty, especially on offense, but the Sooners prevailed to take a little momentum into the offseason after a disappointing end to the regular season. OU should be a, if not the, favorite to win the Big 12 next season.
Video: Ben Habern interviews teammates
December, 29, 2011
12/29/11
5:06
PM ET
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Oklahoma Sooners junior center Ben Habern interviews his teammates about what they think of the Iowa Hawkeyes and their time in Arizona.
Is it the wind?
When Oklahoma punter Tress Way's had a chance to kick, he's been solid, but it's been a difficult day for special teams in today's matchup between the Sooners and Iowa State.
Kirby Van Der Kamp wasn't satisfied with punts of 21 and 26 yards after a 57-yard kick earlier in the game.
We haven't seen any scoring in the second half, and Iowa State trails 23-6 midway through the third quarter.
Way is averaging 47 yards on his two punts today, but a third never happened. The snap was too high and he couldn't reel it in, covering the ball and setting up Iowa State's only points of the day, a touchdown pass from Jared Barnett to Albert Gary.
When Oklahoma punter Tress Way's had a chance to kick, he's been solid, but it's been a difficult day for special teams in today's matchup between the Sooners and Iowa State.
Kirby Van Der Kamp wasn't satisfied with punts of 21 and 26 yards after a 57-yard kick earlier in the game.
We haven't seen any scoring in the second half, and Iowa State trails 23-6 midway through the third quarter.
Way is averaging 47 yards on his two punts today, but a third never happened. The snap was too high and he couldn't reel it in, covering the ball and setting up Iowa State's only points of the day, a touchdown pass from Jared Barnett to Albert Gary.
Today, we'll start a new series.
Heading into the season, I see five teams in the Big 12 with a realistic chance to win the league. I'll be breaking them down in order (which won't be the same as my post-spring power rankings) of their chances to leave the season with the Big 12 title.
No. 1 on the list is no surprise. We'll begin with the favorites: Oklahoma.
Why the Sooners will win the Big 12
1. They've been there before. Don't underestimate the importance of experience on the big stage. Look back at Oklahoma's four biggest stages of 2010. All came away from home, and Oklahoma answered the bell all four times to win the Big 12 and the Fiesta Bowl. The Sooners jumped on Texas early and held on to win. Facing a third-and-long with a charging OSU team in Stillwater, Oklahoma threw a 76-yard touchdown pass. OSU answered by returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, but Oklahoma iced the game with an 82-yard score. The Sooners erased a 17-0 deficit in the Big 12 title game against Nebraska to win. And against UConn, Oklahoma didn't play down to its opponent. Sure, the Sooners tripped up against A&M and Missouri on the road, but neither cost them the Big 12. I won't make this an entire point, but the truth is simple, too: Oklahoma is the best team in the Big 12 entering the season.
2. They can afford to lose a game. If anyone in the Big 12 gets through this year undefeated, it's going to be Oklahoma. Oklahoma hosts Texas A&M, and goes to Oklahoma State (who hasn't beaten the Sooners since 2002, despite being ranked five times since then, and ranked at home against OU three times) for a rematch of last year's classic. It's hard not to like Oklahoma's chances of holding a tiebreaker against fellow contenders OSU and A&M, which would allow for a possible stumble into a Big 12 road loss.
3. It cured its biggest weakness late in 2010. The problem with Oklahoma on the road in 2009 and the better part of 2010 wasn't so much "losing" on the road. It was playing way, way below its usual self on the road. That's why the dominant win over Baylor that preceded Bedlam was such a welcome sign for Sooner fans. Improving to 20-0 all-time against Baylor was no accomplishment, but beating it 53-24 was. It meant Oklahoma had found a way to take its top game on the road, which it did the following week at Oklahoma State and again against Nebraska, and once more in the Fiesta Bowl against UConn. I'd expect that to carry over into this year, and the Sooners will get a chance to prove it against Florida State in Tallahassee in its second game.
Why the Sooners won't win the Big 12
1. The secondary is young and unproven. Both safeties, Jonathan Nelson and All-American Quinton Carter, were NFL draft picks. Javon Harris slides in and will be joined by Aaron Colvin, a converted corner. Both earned rave reviews during the spring, but the fact remains: both have almost no experience at the position and will have to learn a lot as first-time starters. Harris played well against Oklahoma State in relief of an injured Nelson, and Colvin got a start at corner against Texas, but neither has shouldered the kind of weight they will face in the Big 12 this year. With the kind of passers they'll see in the Big 12, this possible weakness could be a problem. Demontre Hurst is solid at corner, but the status of All-Big 12 corner Jamell Fleming, arguably the Big 12's best returner at the position, is in doubt. If he's not back, Gabe Lynn, a sophomore with almost no experience, will start.
2. The pool of contenders is deep. Oklahoma may hold a tiebreaker against A&M and OSU, but what about the rest of the league? Despite what some believed after the Big 12 lost Nebraska, the entire league won't hinge on the Red River Rivalry -- at least not in 2011. There are a handful of other games that will have a heavy influence on the league. Oklahoma's won seven Big 12 titles in 11 years, but just beating Texas or Texas A&M or Oklahoma State won't be enough. Oklahoma's going to have to show up every week.
3. Special teams is uncertain. Oklahoma's punter Tress Way is one of the Big 12's best, but the Sooners could encounter problems elsewhere. Placekicker Jimmy Stevens was solid last year (19-of-23), but Oklahoma tended not to attempt deep kicks. The Sooners attempted just four kicks from beyond 40 yards last year, and none from beyond 50 yards. Stevens was 3-of-4 from 40 yards or longer, but his long was just 41 yards. Additionally, Oklahoma gave up key kickoff returns for touchdowns in losses against Texas A&M and Missouri and another in the fourth quarter that kept Oklahoma State alive. Sooner fans were clamoring for a special teams coordinator hire this offseason, but coach Bob Stoops didn't make one.
Heading into the season, I see five teams in the Big 12 with a realistic chance to win the league. I'll be breaking them down in order (which won't be the same as my post-spring power rankings) of their chances to leave the season with the Big 12 title.
No. 1 on the list is no surprise. We'll begin with the favorites: Oklahoma.
Why the Sooners will win the Big 12
1. They've been there before. Don't underestimate the importance of experience on the big stage. Look back at Oklahoma's four biggest stages of 2010. All came away from home, and Oklahoma answered the bell all four times to win the Big 12 and the Fiesta Bowl. The Sooners jumped on Texas early and held on to win. Facing a third-and-long with a charging OSU team in Stillwater, Oklahoma threw a 76-yard touchdown pass. OSU answered by returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, but Oklahoma iced the game with an 82-yard score. The Sooners erased a 17-0 deficit in the Big 12 title game against Nebraska to win. And against UConn, Oklahoma didn't play down to its opponent. Sure, the Sooners tripped up against A&M and Missouri on the road, but neither cost them the Big 12. I won't make this an entire point, but the truth is simple, too: Oklahoma is the best team in the Big 12 entering the season.
[+] Enlarge
Mark Zerof/US PresswireBob Stoops' Sooners look like the most likely team to come out of the Big 12 undefeated.
Mark Zerof/US PresswireBob Stoops' Sooners look like the most likely team to come out of the Big 12 undefeated.3. It cured its biggest weakness late in 2010. The problem with Oklahoma on the road in 2009 and the better part of 2010 wasn't so much "losing" on the road. It was playing way, way below its usual self on the road. That's why the dominant win over Baylor that preceded Bedlam was such a welcome sign for Sooner fans. Improving to 20-0 all-time against Baylor was no accomplishment, but beating it 53-24 was. It meant Oklahoma had found a way to take its top game on the road, which it did the following week at Oklahoma State and again against Nebraska, and once more in the Fiesta Bowl against UConn. I'd expect that to carry over into this year, and the Sooners will get a chance to prove it against Florida State in Tallahassee in its second game.
Why the Sooners won't win the Big 12
1. The secondary is young and unproven. Both safeties, Jonathan Nelson and All-American Quinton Carter, were NFL draft picks. Javon Harris slides in and will be joined by Aaron Colvin, a converted corner. Both earned rave reviews during the spring, but the fact remains: both have almost no experience at the position and will have to learn a lot as first-time starters. Harris played well against Oklahoma State in relief of an injured Nelson, and Colvin got a start at corner against Texas, but neither has shouldered the kind of weight they will face in the Big 12 this year. With the kind of passers they'll see in the Big 12, this possible weakness could be a problem. Demontre Hurst is solid at corner, but the status of All-Big 12 corner Jamell Fleming, arguably the Big 12's best returner at the position, is in doubt. If he's not back, Gabe Lynn, a sophomore with almost no experience, will start.
2. The pool of contenders is deep. Oklahoma may hold a tiebreaker against A&M and OSU, but what about the rest of the league? Despite what some believed after the Big 12 lost Nebraska, the entire league won't hinge on the Red River Rivalry -- at least not in 2011. There are a handful of other games that will have a heavy influence on the league. Oklahoma's won seven Big 12 titles in 11 years, but just beating Texas or Texas A&M or Oklahoma State won't be enough. Oklahoma's going to have to show up every week.
3. Special teams is uncertain. Oklahoma's punter Tress Way is one of the Big 12's best, but the Sooners could encounter problems elsewhere. Placekicker Jimmy Stevens was solid last year (19-of-23), but Oklahoma tended not to attempt deep kicks. The Sooners attempted just four kicks from beyond 40 yards last year, and none from beyond 50 yards. Stevens was 3-of-4 from 40 yards or longer, but his long was just 41 yards. Additionally, Oklahoma gave up key kickoff returns for touchdowns in losses against Texas A&M and Missouri and another in the fourth quarter that kept Oklahoma State alive. Sooner fans were clamoring for a special teams coordinator hire this offseason, but coach Bob Stoops didn't make one.
OSU mistake allows impressive Jones rebound
November, 27, 2010
11/27/10
9:33
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
STILLWATER, Okla. -- Landry Jones bounced back from his worst throw of the night, an easy pick-six to Oklahoma State's Shaun Lewis, with two of his best passes. The first was a 16-yard throw to Cameron Kenney to convert on a 3rd-and-9. On the next play, he hit Kenney again for an eight-yard touchdown in the middle of the OSU defense.
That score has Oklahoma up 21-10 midway through the second quarter.
Of course, none of that would have been possible without a big mistake from Oklahoma State freshman Justin Gilbert. Gilbert careened into Oklahoma punter Tress Way after his punt was away, giving the Sooners the ball back.
Just when Oklahoma State had wrangled the momentum back from the Sooners, Gilbert's miscue gave it right back.
In a game like this, one or two mistakes can determine the outcome pretty easily. Jones' interception looked like it might have a big influence on it early, but he came back with a couple of huge plays.
Now, Gilbert looks the same. He's a dangerous return man who will have his chances later in the game. We'll see if he takes advantage of his opportunity like Jones did.
That score has Oklahoma up 21-10 midway through the second quarter.
Of course, none of that would have been possible without a big mistake from Oklahoma State freshman Justin Gilbert. Gilbert careened into Oklahoma punter Tress Way after his punt was away, giving the Sooners the ball back.
Just when Oklahoma State had wrangled the momentum back from the Sooners, Gilbert's miscue gave it right back.
In a game like this, one or two mistakes can determine the outcome pretty easily. Jones' interception looked like it might have a big influence on it early, but he came back with a couple of huge plays.
Now, Gilbert looks the same. He's a dangerous return man who will have his chances later in the game. We'll see if he takes advantage of his opportunity like Jones did.
Bedlam: Three keys for Cowboys, Sooners
November, 26, 2010
11/26/10
10:30
AM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Three things Oklahoma must do to win:
1. Stop the "other" guys. Running back Kendall Hunter and receiver Justin Blackmon are going to get theirs. They always do. Hunter has been held under 100 yards just twice this year, and Blackmon has at least 125 yards and a touchdown in all 10 of his starts. But Oklahoma State's offense really gets humming when players like receivers Bo Bowling and Josh Cooper and running back Joseph Randle get involved. Oklahoma can win if Blackmon and Hunter both have big days, but if quarterback Brandon Weeden clears 400 yards through the air thanks to 75 yards from Bowling and Cooper and another 75 or so from Randle, it's not going to happen for the Sooners.
2. Protect the passer. Oklahoma will lessen the pressure on Landry Jones with plenty of screens and swing passes, but when the Sooners do go downfield, they have to keep Jones off his back. Like most quarterbacks, a pressured Jones is a much more mistake-prone Jones.
3. Bring an aggressive defensive gameplan. The Big 12 team with the most success slowing Oklahoma State's offense was Texas A&M, which led 21-7 at halftime in Stillwater this year. The Aggies did it by bringing a wide variance of blitzes and making plays in the backfield. Oklahoma State's offense is capable of making big plays over the top, but that's what makes the Cowboys so good offensively. They're just as capable of dinking-and-dunking their way up the field. It's an efficient, precise offense. Force Weeden to make the difficult plays down the field to Blackmon. He'll probably still make a couple, but nobody's held Oklahoma State's full-strength offense to fewer than 33 points. Don't expect Oklahoma to be the first.
Three things Oklahoma State must to do win
1. Minimize the damage on the edge. Oklahoma is going to look for Ryan Broyles and DeMarco Murray on plenty of swing passes. If Oklahoma State's defenders on the edge tackle well and make those plays a consistent 1-2 yards instead of a consistent 5-8, it'll give the Cowboys a leg up and force Oklahoma to look for more difficult sources of offense.
2. Get the crowd involved. Baylor isn't known for its intimidating home-field advantage. Texas A&M is, and Missouri's fans were more riled up for their date with the Sooners than they've been for any other game in a long time. Oklahoma beat the Bears, and lost by 14 to the Aggies and by nine to the Tigers. The empirical data supports the notion that Oklahoma plays poorly on the road, and the Cowboys fans have to make sure Boone Pickens Stadium is more like Faurot and Kyle Field than Floyd Casey Stadium. Paddle people, your time is now. That said, the team has to give them something to cheer about. Missouri returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Texas A&M shut Oklahoma out in the first half and ran the opening kick of the second half back for a touchdown. A snap over Jones' head into the end zone for a safety on the first play against Texas A&M helped, too. The Cowboys would get a big boost from a big play or two early in each half to inject some energy into the building.
3. Take advantage of the kicking game. Tress Way and Quinn Sharp are close to a push as punters, but Oklahoma State has a huge advantage in the field goal-kicking department. Oklahoma's Jimmy Stevens is 10-of-13 on the year, but the reason for his lack of attempts is a lack of confidence from coach Bob Stoops. The Sooners rarely attempt kicks longer than 45 yards. Oklahoma State's Dan Bailey is 22-of-26, but all four misses have come in his past three games after a perfect start. Stevens, meanwhile, made three kicks last week against Baylor, even though the longest was a 33-yarder. Bailey missed against Kansas from 46 and 50 yards, but he was 8-of-8 on kicks longer than 40 yards before last week's game. His other two misses came from 39 yards against Texas and 31 at the end of the first half against Baylor. The return of early season Dan Bailey would be a welcome sight for the Cowboys, and one that could decide the game.
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AP Photo/Eric GayGetting pressure on Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden will be crucial for the Sooners.
AP Photo/Eric GayGetting pressure on Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden will be crucial for the Sooners.2. Protect the passer. Oklahoma will lessen the pressure on Landry Jones with plenty of screens and swing passes, but when the Sooners do go downfield, they have to keep Jones off his back. Like most quarterbacks, a pressured Jones is a much more mistake-prone Jones.
3. Bring an aggressive defensive gameplan. The Big 12 team with the most success slowing Oklahoma State's offense was Texas A&M, which led 21-7 at halftime in Stillwater this year. The Aggies did it by bringing a wide variance of blitzes and making plays in the backfield. Oklahoma State's offense is capable of making big plays over the top, but that's what makes the Cowboys so good offensively. They're just as capable of dinking-and-dunking their way up the field. It's an efficient, precise offense. Force Weeden to make the difficult plays down the field to Blackmon. He'll probably still make a couple, but nobody's held Oklahoma State's full-strength offense to fewer than 33 points. Don't expect Oklahoma to be the first.
Three things Oklahoma State must to do win
1. Minimize the damage on the edge. Oklahoma is going to look for Ryan Broyles and DeMarco Murray on plenty of swing passes. If Oklahoma State's defenders on the edge tackle well and make those plays a consistent 1-2 yards instead of a consistent 5-8, it'll give the Cowboys a leg up and force Oklahoma to look for more difficult sources of offense.
2. Get the crowd involved. Baylor isn't known for its intimidating home-field advantage. Texas A&M is, and Missouri's fans were more riled up for their date with the Sooners than they've been for any other game in a long time. Oklahoma beat the Bears, and lost by 14 to the Aggies and by nine to the Tigers. The empirical data supports the notion that Oklahoma plays poorly on the road, and the Cowboys fans have to make sure Boone Pickens Stadium is more like Faurot and Kyle Field than Floyd Casey Stadium. Paddle people, your time is now. That said, the team has to give them something to cheer about. Missouri returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Texas A&M shut Oklahoma out in the first half and ran the opening kick of the second half back for a touchdown. A snap over Jones' head into the end zone for a safety on the first play against Texas A&M helped, too. The Cowboys would get a big boost from a big play or two early in each half to inject some energy into the building.
3. Take advantage of the kicking game. Tress Way and Quinn Sharp are close to a push as punters, but Oklahoma State has a huge advantage in the field goal-kicking department. Oklahoma's Jimmy Stevens is 10-of-13 on the year, but the reason for his lack of attempts is a lack of confidence from coach Bob Stoops. The Sooners rarely attempt kicks longer than 45 yards. Oklahoma State's Dan Bailey is 22-of-26, but all four misses have come in his past three games after a perfect start. Stevens, meanwhile, made three kicks last week against Baylor, even though the longest was a 33-yarder. Bailey missed against Kansas from 46 and 50 yards, but he was 8-of-8 on kicks longer than 40 yards before last week's game. His other two misses came from 39 yards against Texas and 31 at the end of the first half against Baylor. The return of early season Dan Bailey would be a welcome sight for the Cowboys, and one that could decide the game.
Six named Big 12 Players of the Week
September, 7, 2010
9/07/10
4:00
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Lots of indecision among voters for this week's Big 12 Player of the Week, resulting in co-winners of all three awards: offense, defense and special teams.
Offense: Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State and Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State
Both topped 200 yards and led their teams to wins against UCLA and Washington State, respectively.
Defense: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri and Keenan Robinson, LB, Texas
Smith made a career-high 10 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss against Illinois. Robinson made six tackles, a tackle for loss, snared an interception and scooped up a fumble and took it 10 yards for a touchdown against Rice.
Special teams: Anthony Cantele, K, Kansas State and Tress Way, P, Oklahoma
Cantele, a walk-on, hit four PATs, made his only field goal attempt -- a 35-yarder -- and had four touchbacks in his first college appearance. The touchbacks are made even more impressive considering Cantele didn't know he'd be serving as kickoff specialist until game-day morning.
Way boomed a Big 12-record 85-yard punt, and averaged 46.6 yards on his eight punts. Three were downed inside the 20-yard line.
Offense: Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State and Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State
Both topped 200 yards and led their teams to wins against UCLA and Washington State, respectively.
Defense: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri and Keenan Robinson, LB, Texas
Smith made a career-high 10 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss against Illinois. Robinson made six tackles, a tackle for loss, snared an interception and scooped up a fumble and took it 10 yards for a touchdown against Rice.
Special teams: Anthony Cantele, K, Kansas State and Tress Way, P, Oklahoma
Cantele, a walk-on, hit four PATs, made his only field goal attempt -- a 35-yarder -- and had four touchbacks in his first college appearance. The touchbacks are made even more impressive considering Cantele didn't know he'd be serving as kickoff specialist until game-day morning.
Way boomed a Big 12-record 85-yard punt, and averaged 46.6 yards on his eight punts. Three were downed inside the 20-yard line.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said last week that placekicking was his No. 1 concern entering the season. Stoops was expected to announce his decision on Wednesday, but did so on his radio show Tuesday night, selecting former walk-on Patrick O'Hara as his starter.
O'Hara, a sophomore, made 6 of 9 kicks last season and all 15 PATs. Stoops says he won't have a quick trigger, but last year's starter, Jimmy Stevens, who made the Lou Groza Award watch list this preseason, will be relegated to the bench. Stevens lost the job midseason last year to O'Hara.
Stevens hit 11 of 13 kicks last season and 27 of 29 PATs.
Oklahoma's kickers struggled from beyond 40 yards last season, making just 1 of 8 attempts. O'Hara was 1-of-2 with a long of 47 yards against Texas Tech. Punter Tress Way, who will focus on only punting this year, was forced into placekicking duty last year but made just 1-of-6, with his only make coming from 28 yards out against Nebraska.
“It’s (based) over the past couple of weeks,” Stoops said. “(O’Hara), in my eyes, overall has been more consistent. He needs to be given an opportunity to keep it and improve with it as opposed to some knee-jerk reaction and change it every kick.”
O'Hara, a sophomore, made 6 of 9 kicks last season and all 15 PATs. Stoops says he won't have a quick trigger, but last year's starter, Jimmy Stevens, who made the Lou Groza Award watch list this preseason, will be relegated to the bench. Stevens lost the job midseason last year to O'Hara.
Stevens hit 11 of 13 kicks last season and 27 of 29 PATs.
Oklahoma's kickers struggled from beyond 40 yards last season, making just 1 of 8 attempts. O'Hara was 1-of-2 with a long of 47 yards against Texas Tech. Punter Tress Way, who will focus on only punting this year, was forced into placekicking duty last year but made just 1-of-6, with his only make coming from 28 yards out against Nebraska.
I'll only say one thing about this video: I would not have signed off on it.
- Texas A&M defensive end K.J. Williams and running back Kalvin Guyton have been kicked off the team, reports Brent Zwerneman of the San Antonio Express-News.
- Kansas State's offensive line is a tight group. Those relationships were forged in a forest, writes Kellis Robinett in the Kansas City Star.
- The Lincoln Journal Star wants to know where in the Big 12 you'll miss most, Husker fans.
- The impact of Oklahoma's State's lost starters from 2009 is overstated, writes John Klein of the Tulsa World.
- Texas offensive lineman Michael Huey is cooking up something special in Austin. Quite a few things, actually, writes Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman.
- Colorado offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau is keeping an open mind regarding his vision for the Buffaloes offense in 2010, writes Tom Kensler of the Denver Post.
- He gets overlooked, but one of Oklahoma's best players is its punter, Tress Way, writes John Hoover of the Tulsa World.
- Texas Monthly has a preview of its story about the rise of the Texas quarterback in this month's issue. Featured: Colt McCoy, Jerrod Johnson, J.W. Walsh, Robert Griffin and Garrett Gilbert.
- Texas is proposing a Sooner-themed license plate. Everybody get angry!
- John Werner of the Waco Tribune-Herald has more on Baylor's star 2010 signee, Ahmad Dixon.
- Life at center is good for Iowa State's Ben Lamaak, writes Bobby La Gesse of the Ames Tribune.
You may have noticed the preseason top 25 list lacked any special teams players. I don't mean to downplay their impact -- they quite obviously have plenty of influence on games' outcomes -- but players should be on the field more than a few plays per game to warrant inclusion into the conference's best.
Here's the conference's top performers in the game of football's special third.
1. Alex Henery, K/P, Nebraska
Henery made a strong case for co-MVP of the Big 12 Championship even with Ndamukong Suh's dominant performance going down in history on the same night. Henery booted four field goals, including a 42-yarder to take the lead with 1:44 to play. He also helped the Huskers play the field position game with eight punts for an average of 37 yards -- two inside the 20. On the season, Henery averaged over 41 yards on his Big 12-most 77 punts, pinning opponents inside the 20 on 26 occasions, more than any other punter in the league. He also made 24 of 28 field goals with all four misses coming from beyond 40 yards, including three attempts of longer than 50.
2. Grant Ressel, K, Missouri
Ressel connected on 26 of 27 field goals in his first season as starter. After entering preseason camp as the No. 2 kicker for the Tigers, he finished as the nation's most accurate kicker. His impressive debut earned him first-team All-American honors by Sports Illustrated and first-team All-Big 12 by the coaches and media. Came to the team as a walk-on, but was given a scholarship after the 2009 season, which featured his game-winning kick to end the regular season against Kansas. His only miss of the season came on a 43-yarder against Nebraska in a downpour at Faurot Field. Henery and Ressel could both be finalists for the Lou Groza Award as the nation's best kicker, but beating out UCLA's Kai Forbath will be difficult.
3. Tress Way, P, Oklahoma
Way led the Big 12 in punting average, with 45.7 yards per kick on 61 punts as a freshman, the second-highest average in school history. He posted a school-record 22 punts longer than 50 yards, nine of longer than 60 and another two over 70 yards, highlighted by a 74-yarder against Oklahoma State. His efforts helped Oklahoma finish No. 2 in punt return defense nationally (1.8 yards per return) and fifth in net punting (40.3 yards per kick).
4. Quinn Sharp, P/KOS, Oklahoma State
Sharp averaged 45.1 yards on 67 punts, the second-best average ever for an Oklahoma State punter and fifth-highest in the nation. He also had 35 touchbacks as a kickoff specialist and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention as a freshman.
5. Derek Epperson, P, Baylor
An All-Big 12 first-team punter, Epperson, a senior, will be a four-year starter at punter for the Bears. Last season, he was third in the Big 12 in punting average (44.8 yards) and put opponents inside the 20-yard line 12 times.
Here's the conference's top performers in the game of football's special third.
1. Alex Henery, K/P, Nebraska
Henery made a strong case for co-MVP of the Big 12 Championship even with Ndamukong Suh's dominant performance going down in history on the same night. Henery booted four field goals, including a 42-yarder to take the lead with 1:44 to play. He also helped the Huskers play the field position game with eight punts for an average of 37 yards -- two inside the 20. On the season, Henery averaged over 41 yards on his Big 12-most 77 punts, pinning opponents inside the 20 on 26 occasions, more than any other punter in the league. He also made 24 of 28 field goals with all four misses coming from beyond 40 yards, including three attempts of longer than 50.
2. Grant Ressel, K, Missouri
Ressel connected on 26 of 27 field goals in his first season as starter. After entering preseason camp as the No. 2 kicker for the Tigers, he finished as the nation's most accurate kicker. His impressive debut earned him first-team All-American honors by Sports Illustrated and first-team All-Big 12 by the coaches and media. Came to the team as a walk-on, but was given a scholarship after the 2009 season, which featured his game-winning kick to end the regular season against Kansas. His only miss of the season came on a 43-yarder against Nebraska in a downpour at Faurot Field. Henery and Ressel could both be finalists for the Lou Groza Award as the nation's best kicker, but beating out UCLA's Kai Forbath will be difficult.
3. Tress Way, P, Oklahoma
Way led the Big 12 in punting average, with 45.7 yards per kick on 61 punts as a freshman, the second-highest average in school history. He posted a school-record 22 punts longer than 50 yards, nine of longer than 60 and another two over 70 yards, highlighted by a 74-yarder against Oklahoma State. His efforts helped Oklahoma finish No. 2 in punt return defense nationally (1.8 yards per return) and fifth in net punting (40.3 yards per kick).
4. Quinn Sharp, P/KOS, Oklahoma State
Sharp averaged 45.1 yards on 67 punts, the second-best average ever for an Oklahoma State punter and fifth-highest in the nation. He also had 35 touchbacks as a kickoff specialist and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention as a freshman.
5. Derek Epperson, P, Baylor
An All-Big 12 first-team punter, Epperson, a senior, will be a four-year starter at punter for the Bears. Last season, he was third in the Big 12 in punting average (44.8 yards) and put opponents inside the 20-yard line 12 times.
All-Big 12 teams show recruiting hits and misses
February, 2, 2010
2/02/10
1:00
PM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
As we all pore over the recruiting ratings of each school for the next few days, it's wise to take all of these rankings and ratings with a healthy grain of salt.
Recruiting is, always has been and always will be an inexact science. For every can't miss product, there are others who emerge out of nowhere to become standout players.
This trend was shown after I analyzed the first- and second-team All-Big 12 teams from the 2009 season and went back to check their original ESPNU grades. On some, the service hit. But on many others, it missed like Sean Weatherspoon and Danario Alexander.
Both had scores of 40 when they came out in their recruiting class. Weatherspoon weighed 195 pounds. Alexander was projected as a safety. And both put aside their dubious recruiting marks to develop into two of the best players in the country at their position over the course of their college career. I thought it was interesting to go back and look at the best players in the conference and see where they were ranked coming into college.
The ESPNU ratings database goes back only to 2006. That does not allow us to get ratings for players who took a redshirt year during their college careers. But it gives a pretty accurate picture about the crap shoot that college recruiting really is.
Here's a look at the Big 12's coaches' first and second teams for 2009. The positional rankings, typically listed second for most players, are national rankings.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Colt McCoy, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
RB: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2009.
RB: Keith Toston, Oklahoma State: 77 rating; ranked 44th among all safeties; ranked 73rd in state.
FB: Bryant Ward, Oklahoma State: Walk-on.
WR: Jordan Shipley, Texas: Class of 2004, no information available.
WR: Danario Alexander, Missouri: 40 rating (as safety), ranked 229th in state.
WR: Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas: 40 rating, ranked 363rd in state.
TE: Jeron Mastrud, Kansas State: 40 rating, ranked 13th in state.
OL: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State: 73 rating, ranked 61st among all tackles, 138th in state.
OL: Trent Williams, Oklahoma: 76 rating, ranked 22nd among all guards, 78th in state.
OL: Nick Stringer, Kansas State: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Brandon Carter, Texas Tech: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Nate Solder, Colorado: 40 rating (as tight end), ranked 48th in state.
PK: Grant Ressel, Missouri: Walk-on.
KR/PR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2008.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska: Class of 2005, no information available.
DL: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma: 89 rating, ranked 2nd among all defensive tackle, ranked first in state, ranked 21st in nation.
DL:Von Miller, Texas A&M: 77 rating, ranked 37th among all defensive ends, ranked 52nd in state.
DL: Brandon Sharpe, Texas Tech: Junior-college class of 2007.
DL: Jared Crick, Nebraska: 73 rating, ranked 86th among all defensive ends, ranked seventh in state.
LB: Jesse Smith, Iowa State: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri: 40 rating, ranked 294th in state.
LB: Travis Lewis, Oklahoma: 75 rating, ranked 86th among all running backs, ranked 96th in state.
DB: Earl Thomas, Texas: 71 rating, ranked 75th among all cornerbacks, ranked 170th in state.
DB: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State: 77 rating, ranked 25th among all cornerbacks, ranked 57th in state.
DB: Dominique Franks, Oklahoma: 74 rating, ranked 53rd among all cornerbacks, ranked 15th in state.
DB: Prince Amukamara, Nebraska: 78 rating, ranked 31st among all running backs, ranked fifth in state.
DB: Larry Asante, Nebraska: Junior college class of 2007.
P: Derek Epperson, Baylor: 76 rating, ranked 15th among all kickers, ranked 87th in state.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M: 79 rating, ranked first among all athletes, ranked 29th in state.
RB Roy Helu Jr., Nebraska: 73 rating, ranked 113th among all running backs, ranked 97th in state.
RB: DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma: 92 rating, ranked first among all running backs, ranked first in state, ranked sixth in nation.
FB: Jamie McCoy, Texas A&M: Class of 2005, no information available.
WR: Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma: 77 rating, ranked 58th among all wide receivers, ranked fourth in state.
WR: Kerry Meier, Kansas: Class of 2005 , no information available.
WR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2008.
TE: Riar Geer, Colorado: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: J.D. Walton, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available (transfer from Arizona State).
OL: Chris Hall, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Kurtis Gregory, Missouri: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Adam Ulatoski, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Brody Eldridge, Oklahoma: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Lee Grimes, Texas A&M: Class of 2005, no information available.
PK: Alex Henery, Nebraska: Walk-on.
KR/PR: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State: 77 rating, ranked 25th among all cornerbacks, ranked 57th in state.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Sergio Kindle, Texas: 92 rating, ranked first among all outside linebackers, ranked second in state, ranked seventh in nation.
DL: Lamarr Houston, Texas: 78 rating, ranked seventh among all fullbacks, ranked fourth in state.
DL: Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma: 80 rating, ranked 11th among all defensive ends, ranked 17th in state, ranked 137th nationally.
DL: Jaron Baston, Missouri: Class of 2005, no information available.
DL: Daniel Howard, Texas Tech: Junior college class of 2007
LB: Joe Pawelek, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Phillip Dillard, Nebraska: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Jamar Wall, Texas Tech: 72 rating, ranked 79th among all safeties, ranked 142nd in state.
DB: Quinton Carter, Oklahoma: 77 rating, ranked 39th among all safeties, ranked third in state.
DB: Brian Jackson, Oklahoma: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Jordan Lake, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Cha’pelle Brown, Colorado: 40 rating, ranked 287th in state.
DB: Trent Hunter, Texas A&M: 68 rating, ranked 90th among all cornerbacks, ranked 250th in state.
P: Tress Way, Oklahoma: 78 rating, ranked sixth among all kickers, ranked sixth in state.
It's interesting to note that only four members of the two teams were ESPNU top 150 selections: Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy, DeMarco Murray and Jeremy Beal and Texas' Sergio Kindle.
Recruiting is, always has been and always will be an inexact science. For every can't miss product, there are others who emerge out of nowhere to become standout players.
This trend was shown after I analyzed the first- and second-team All-Big 12 teams from the 2009 season and went back to check their original ESPNU grades. On some, the service hit. But on many others, it missed like Sean Weatherspoon and Danario Alexander.
Both had scores of 40 when they came out in their recruiting class. Weatherspoon weighed 195 pounds. Alexander was projected as a safety. And both put aside their dubious recruiting marks to develop into two of the best players in the country at their position over the course of their college career. I thought it was interesting to go back and look at the best players in the conference and see where they were ranked coming into college.
The ESPNU ratings database goes back only to 2006. That does not allow us to get ratings for players who took a redshirt year during their college careers. But it gives a pretty accurate picture about the crap shoot that college recruiting really is.
Here's a look at the Big 12's coaches' first and second teams for 2009. The positional rankings, typically listed second for most players, are national rankings.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Colt McCoy, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
RB: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2009.
RB: Keith Toston, Oklahoma State: 77 rating; ranked 44th among all safeties; ranked 73rd in state.
FB: Bryant Ward, Oklahoma State: Walk-on.
WR: Jordan Shipley, Texas: Class of 2004, no information available.
WR: Danario Alexander, Missouri: 40 rating (as safety), ranked 229th in state.
WR: Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas: 40 rating, ranked 363rd in state.
TE: Jeron Mastrud, Kansas State: 40 rating, ranked 13th in state.
OL: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State: 73 rating, ranked 61st among all tackles, 138th in state.
OL: Trent Williams, Oklahoma: 76 rating, ranked 22nd among all guards, 78th in state.
OL: Nick Stringer, Kansas State: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Brandon Carter, Texas Tech: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Nate Solder, Colorado: 40 rating (as tight end), ranked 48th in state.
PK: Grant Ressel, Missouri: Walk-on.
KR/PR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2008.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska: Class of 2005, no information available.
DL: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma: 89 rating, ranked 2nd among all defensive tackle, ranked first in state, ranked 21st in nation.
DL:Von Miller, Texas A&M: 77 rating, ranked 37th among all defensive ends, ranked 52nd in state.
DL: Brandon Sharpe, Texas Tech: Junior-college class of 2007.
DL: Jared Crick, Nebraska: 73 rating, ranked 86th among all defensive ends, ranked seventh in state.
LB: Jesse Smith, Iowa State: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri: 40 rating, ranked 294th in state.
LB: Travis Lewis, Oklahoma: 75 rating, ranked 86th among all running backs, ranked 96th in state.
DB: Earl Thomas, Texas: 71 rating, ranked 75th among all cornerbacks, ranked 170th in state.
DB: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State: 77 rating, ranked 25th among all cornerbacks, ranked 57th in state.
DB: Dominique Franks, Oklahoma: 74 rating, ranked 53rd among all cornerbacks, ranked 15th in state.
DB: Prince Amukamara, Nebraska: 78 rating, ranked 31st among all running backs, ranked fifth in state.
DB: Larry Asante, Nebraska: Junior college class of 2007.
P: Derek Epperson, Baylor: 76 rating, ranked 15th among all kickers, ranked 87th in state.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M: 79 rating, ranked first among all athletes, ranked 29th in state.
RB Roy Helu Jr., Nebraska: 73 rating, ranked 113th among all running backs, ranked 97th in state.
RB: DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma: 92 rating, ranked first among all running backs, ranked first in state, ranked sixth in nation.
FB: Jamie McCoy, Texas A&M: Class of 2005, no information available.
WR: Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma: 77 rating, ranked 58th among all wide receivers, ranked fourth in state.
WR: Kerry Meier, Kansas: Class of 2005 , no information available.
WR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2008.
TE: Riar Geer, Colorado: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: J.D. Walton, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available (transfer from Arizona State).
OL: Chris Hall, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Kurtis Gregory, Missouri: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Adam Ulatoski, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Brody Eldridge, Oklahoma: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Lee Grimes, Texas A&M: Class of 2005, no information available.
PK: Alex Henery, Nebraska: Walk-on.
KR/PR: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State: 77 rating, ranked 25th among all cornerbacks, ranked 57th in state.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Sergio Kindle, Texas: 92 rating, ranked first among all outside linebackers, ranked second in state, ranked seventh in nation.
DL: Lamarr Houston, Texas: 78 rating, ranked seventh among all fullbacks, ranked fourth in state.
DL: Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma: 80 rating, ranked 11th among all defensive ends, ranked 17th in state, ranked 137th nationally.
DL: Jaron Baston, Missouri: Class of 2005, no information available.
DL: Daniel Howard, Texas Tech: Junior college class of 2007
LB: Joe Pawelek, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Phillip Dillard, Nebraska: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Jamar Wall, Texas Tech: 72 rating, ranked 79th among all safeties, ranked 142nd in state.
DB: Quinton Carter, Oklahoma: 77 rating, ranked 39th among all safeties, ranked third in state.
DB: Brian Jackson, Oklahoma: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Jordan Lake, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Cha’pelle Brown, Colorado: 40 rating, ranked 287th in state.
DB: Trent Hunter, Texas A&M: 68 rating, ranked 90th among all cornerbacks, ranked 250th in state.
P: Tress Way, Oklahoma: 78 rating, ranked sixth among all kickers, ranked sixth in state.
It's interesting to note that only four members of the two teams were ESPNU top 150 selections: Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy, DeMarco Murray and Jeremy Beal and Texas' Sergio Kindle.
Hawkinson, Smith, Way named to all-freshman team
January, 7, 2010
1/07/10
2:31
PM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
Three Big 12 players were named to the 2009 AON Insurance/Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America team.
Big 12 honorees included Kansas tackle Tanner Hawkinson, Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith and Oklahoma punter Tress Way.
Oregon coach Chip Kelly was named as the freshman coach of the year.
Here's a look at the complete team.
Big 12 honorees included Kansas tackle Tanner Hawkinson, Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith and Oklahoma punter Tress Way.
Oregon coach Chip Kelly was named as the freshman coach of the year.
Here's a look at the complete team.
Big 12 lunch links: 10 reasons why Texas could beat Bama
December, 16, 2009
12/16/09
1:00
PM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
Seasons greetings.
How about a few Big 12 links that celebrate the conference while its original membership remains intact?
I'm not saying there is movement afoot, but Dan Beebe should have a contingency plan for new membership tucked away in case he ever needs it.
Here are some lunch-time morsels. Enjoy them.
How about a few Big 12 links that celebrate the conference while its original membership remains intact?
I'm not saying there is movement afoot, but Dan Beebe should have a contingency plan for new membership tucked away in case he ever needs it.
Here are some lunch-time morsels. Enjoy them.
- College Football News’ Pete Fiutak lists 10 reasons why Texas could beat Alabama in the national championship game.
- Kansas tackle Tanner Hawkinson, Missouri defensive end Alden Smith and Oklahoma punter Tress Way were the Big 12’s representatives on the Sporting News’ freshman All-America team.
- The Detroit Free Press breaks down the pros and cons of adding Iowa State or Missouri to the Big Ten. And the Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel analyzes the Big 12’s replacement strategy if either school fled the conference.
- Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn tells the Boulder Camera’s Kyle Ringo that Darrell Scott still hasn’t asked for his release from the school.
- Graduate student Todd Hartley will replace Willie Martinez and coach Georgia’s secondary for the Bullodogs’ Dec. 28 Independence Bowl game against Texas A&M, David Hale of the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer reports.
- Wide receivers coach David Beaty, a key for Kansas’ recent recruiting surge in Texas, is the only assistant on Mark Mangino’s staff still being considered for a position on Turner Gill’s new staff, the Kansas City Star’s Brady McCollough reports.
- Alfred Lee of the Pasadena Star-News reports that the average resale price for games to the BCS national championship game is $1,500 per ticket.
- Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer has some unique family ties with Mississippi, the Cowboys’ opponent in the Jan. 2 Cotton Bowl, Brandon Chatmon of the Oklahoman reports.
- The El Paso Times’ Bret Bloomquist travels to Artesia, N.M., to delve into the school’s tradition-steeped high-school football team and its most storied product, Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones.
- Bo Pelini told the Omaha World-Herald’s Mitch Sherman that Nebraska’s first bowl practice in preparation for the Dec. 30 Holiday Bowl was “decent.”


