Headliners Honored At OU Awards Banquet

With some of the most decorated players in college football in attendance, it wasn't just any awards ceremony when the Oklahoma football team honored its own Friday night in Norman. Most valuable player awards and a pair of awards based on inspirational play were presented and some of those on the receiving end have grown accustomed to picking up hardware.

The players and coaches found it impossible to select just one MVP for any of the three MVP awards, so each was shared by two players. Heisman winner Jason White, who announced earlier in the day that he would return for another season with the Sooners, was co-offensive MVP with Mark Clayton. White, the Oklahoma quarterback, fired a school record 40 touchdown passes this season and has posted the top efficiency rating in the nation. Clayton set five OU receiving records this season, including most receptions in one season (79), and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.

Defensive MVP honors were shared by Butkus and Bednarik Award winner Teddy Lehman and Nagurski and Thorpe Award winner Derrick Strait. Lehman, a senior linebacker, is the team's top tackler with 109, while Strait, a senior cornerback, set OU career records this year in passes broken up, interception return yards and games started.

The special teams MVPs were punt returner Antonio Perkins and Groza Award finalist Trey DiCarlo. Perkins set three NCAA records for punt returns for touchdowns and punt return yards this season, while DiCarlo set an NCAA record for extra points made. He also tied the school mark for consecutive field goals made in one season with 14.

The Derrick Shepard Most Inspirational Walk-on Award was presented to junior Mark Bradley, who was spectacular in both special teams play and at wide receiver. He returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown at Iowa State and threw and caught a touchdown pass in the Sooners' 52-9 victory over Oklahoma State.

The Bob Kalsu Award, named for the former Sooner great who was the only professional football player to lose his life in the Vietnam War, was presented to defensive back Michael Thompson. Thompson sustained serious injuries in an automobile accident following the 2000 season. The senior has battled back and remained a contributing player on the team.

Former Sooner running back Spencer Tillman emceed the ceremony, which was attended by 500 people.