Cowboys for consideration
Published: 12/1/2008 2:52 PM
Last Modified: 12/1/2008 2:52 PM
In the next few days the All-Big 12 Conference football teams as selected by the coaches and the media will be revealed.
Oklahoma State should get a few honorees on the all-conference team from both the coaches and media after getting shut out on the preseason team selected by the media. As always, there will be a few worthy candidates who will not earn first-team status or be left off completely. That's the subjective nature of these teams.
OSU players who are worthy and deserving of first-team recognition:
***Kendall Hunter: When you rush for more than 100 yards in nine out of 12 games and your lowest rushing output for a single game was 84 yards it means you have had a pretty darn good season. It has been said here before and it will be said again when the all-league teams are released: Spud is the best running back in the Big 12.
***Dez Bryant: The sophomore is one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award as college football's best wide receiver. If that and 74 catches for 1,313 yards and a school-record 18 touchdown receptions is not worthy of All-Big 12 status, then who is?
***Russell Okung: Someone from the offensive line deserves a spot on the All-Big 12 team after the offensive achievements this year. The junior left tackle is OSU's best lineman.
***Brandon Pettigrew: This is probably a stretch considering he missed three games with an ankle injury. However, OSU coach Mike Gundy will tell anyone willing to listen that Pettigrew is – and has been – the most complete tight end with the best combination of receiving and blocking skills of anyone at the position in the conference the last few years.
***Matt Fodge: The senior punter did not have enough attempts this season to qualify as one of the national leaders. When he did have to punt, Fodge was terrific. He averaged 44.1 yards per punt and had a net punting average of 42.8 yards per kick.
***Perrish Cox: There is a thought that Missouri's Jeremy Maclin will earn the kickoff returner spot because he may not make it as a receiver. That would be an injustice! Cox is the best kickoff returner in the Big 12. He leads the league in return yardage. Maclin ranks seventh. The OSU junior has a league-best two touchdown returns.
OSU players who are deserving of second-team and honorable mention recognition:
***Zac Robinson: There are a lot of great quarterbacks in the Big 12 this year. But Robinson deserves to receive a spot on the honorable mention squad for his role in operating OSU's explosive offense and leading the Cowboys to a 9-3 record.
***David Washington: The senior center was the anchor of the offensive line. Washington had a strong season, especially after missing the majority of last season with a broken leg.
***Andre Sexton and Orie Lemon: The junior linebackers are the team's top two tacklers with 92 and 84 stops, respectively. They also have been the most consistent defenders this year.
***Jacob Lacey: The overall defensive showings against the prolific passing attacks from Texas Tech and Oklahoma will hurt Lacey's first-team candidacy. Still, the senior cornerback is tied for the league lead in passes defended with 15.
***Dan Bailey: The sophomore kicker was a pleasant surprise this season. He made all 61 extra-point attempts and made 14-of-17 field goal attempts.
---Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
