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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooner Report: Postseason Awards
December 10, 2014 | Football
NORMAN, Okla. ? With the bowl game a few weeks away, fans can pay attention to all the postseason awards that will be doled out in the next few days. Wednesday the Big 12 Conference announced its winners as voted on by the head coaches and tomorrow is the Home Depot College Football Awards Show which airs live on ESPN from 6-8 p.m. CT.
Big 12 Awards
Six Sooners were named to the All-Big 12 First Team as voted on by the league's coaches, the conference announced. OU's offensive unit had four members receive first team status in running back Samaje Perine, wide receiver Sterling Shepard and offensive tackles Daryl Williams and Tyrus Thompson. On the defensive side of the ball linebacker Eric Striker and cornerback Zack Sanchez each earned the accolade.
In addition, Perine was named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. He becomes the third Oklahoma running back to be picked as Offensive Freshman of the Year, joining Adrian Peterson (2004) and De'Mond Parker (1996). The Pflugerville, Texas, native led the Big 12 in rushing, totaling 1,579 yards on the year, including an FBS single game record-setting performance of 427 yards against Kansas (11/15). Perine also scored 21 rushing touchdowns, a Big 12 record for rushing touchdowns in a season by a freshman.
Four OU players were named to the All-Big 12 Second Team. Fullback Aaron Ripkowski, offensive lineman Adam Shead, defensive end Chuka Ndulue and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips all earned the first conference accolades of their respective careers.
In addition, offensive linemen Nila Kasitati and Dionte Savage, defensive lineman Charles Tapper and linebacker Geneo Grissom were each named honorable mention at their respective positions. Freshman Steven Parker earned honorable mention recognition for Defensive Freshman of the Year.
The University of Oklahoma has placed at least four players on the all-conference first team every season since 2000 and at least one player on the team every season since 1926 (89 years). OU has only had one season when playing in a conference without first-team honors (1925), marking 99 of 100 seasons.
Shepard and Stoops Honored with Disney Sports Spirit Award
Oklahoma Sooners coach Bob Stoops and Shepard will receive this year's Disney Sports Spirit Award - an honor given annually by Disney Sports to college football's most inspirational figure - at?The Home Depot College Football Awards?on Dec. 11 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Following the tragic death of former Sooners' receiver and graduate assistant coach Derrick Shepard, Stoops selflessly became a father figure to Derrick Shepard's six-year-old son, Sterling, and welcomed him into the Sooners' family. In a remarkable twist of fate, that fatherless young boy grew into a superstar football player who, at the end of his high school career in suburban Oklahoma City, fittingly signed to play for the University of Oklahoma where he is among the top receivers in college football.
Sterling has inspired the college football world with his remarkable perseverance in overcoming the loss of his father while climbing his way to the top of college football.
“Bob Stoops and Sterling Shepard exemplify everything the Disney Sports Spirit Award stands for in very different ways,” said Faron Kelley, director of sports marketing strategy for Disney Sports. “Bob for his selflessness and willingness to put the needs of others ahead of his own and Sterling for his perseverance and ability to not only overcome such a traumatic experience, but to thrive in spite of that experience.” ?
Kelley will present the award during?The Home Depot College Football Awards?at Walt Disney World Resort on Dec. 11. The 24th?annual awards show will once again air on ESPN at 7 p.m. EST and originate from the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's BoardWalk at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
The Red Carpet Special at the Home Depot College Football Award?will air at 5 p.m. on ESPNU.
Stoops and Sterling Shepard become the 19th?recipients of the award, joining past honorees which include Devon Walker (2013), Nate Boyer (2012), Carson Tinker and the University of Alabama (2011), D.J. Williams (2010), Mark Herzlich (2009) and Tim Tebow (2008).
To watch the feature ESPN's Tom Rinaldi did on the special relationship between Shepards and Stoops earlier this year, click here.
On the Call
The Russell Athletic Bowl matchup between Oklahoma and Clemson is slated to kickoff on Monday, Dec. 29 at 4:30 p.m. CT at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla. ESPN will televise the contest to a national audience. In the booth for the broadcast will be Mike Patrick serving as the play-by-play announcer and Ed Cunningham filling the role of analyst. Joining the two from the sideline will be Jeannine Edwards.
Things to do in Orlando
The Sooners are heading east in preparation for the Russell Athletic Bowl. Here are some things to see in Orlando, Fla., while cheering on your Oklahoma Sooners to victory. Ticket information for the game is?available here.
There are endless entertainment opportunities for the whole family in Orlando. The headliners of the city in the Sunshine State are Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, which feature amusement park rides and plenty of attractions for all ages.
If you want to take the more educational route when visiting Orlando, be sure to check out WonderWorks, an attraction that combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands-on exhibits. The city also features the Orlando Museum of Art and the Orlando Science Center.
For the sports nuts, the Orlando Magic will host the defending NBA MVP in LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, December 26 at the Amway Center. The game is slated to start at 7 p.m. ET.
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