Perine, Ross Named Big 12 Players of Week

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma running backs Samaje Perine and Alex Ross were recognized on Monday as the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively, following their performances in a 45-33 win at West Virginia.

Perine, a true freshman, recorded career highs in carries (34), yards (242) and touchdowns (four) at West Virginia. He also posted a career-long rush of 38 yards. Perine became the first Sooner to record four rushing touchdowns since Blake Bell versus Texas (10/13/12).

His 242 yards mark the first time an OU player has surpassed the 200-yard mark since DeMarco Murray ran for 208 yards vs. Utah State (9/4/10). Perine's 242 yards were the fourth-best single-game rushing performance by a freshman in OU history, a total that also ranked 13th overall on the Sooners' single-game rushing chart. Perine prepped at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville, Texas. He currently leads the Big 12 in rushing, averaging 104.8 yards per game.

Sophomore Ross recorded a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown late in the second quarter, the first of his career and OU's first since Roy Finch against Kansas (10/20/12). He became the sixth player in OU history to record a 100-yard play, four of which have come on kickoff returns.

Ross' 131 kick return yards rank seventh all-time for a single game in OU history. The touchdown was the fourth (three rushing, one return) of his career. Ross also had 56 rushing yards on eight carries and caught three passes for 19 yards in the Sooners' win. He leads the Big 12 with a 45.0-yard kickoff return average.

Additionally, Ross was named to the Week Four Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll, along with Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah. Ross prepped at Jenks High School in Tulsa, Okla.

Perine and Ross are the first Sooners to receive Big 12 Player of the Week honors this season.