Oklahoma State may have lost out on a chance to represent the South Division in the Big 12 title game, but they have been recognized for the astounding and unexpected turnaround they made this season.
In voting announced on the Big 12’s official website, Mike Gundy and wide receiver Justin Blackmon were named the conference’s Coach of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, respectively. Gundy, with a huge assist from new -- and maybe one-and-done -- offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, guided the Cowboys to a 10-2 mark for a season that began with his team being picked to finish at or near the bottom of the division in preseason polls. Blackmon leads the nation in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and currently stands second in receptions per game.
For the second straight season, a Nebraska player has taken home Defensive Player of the Year honors; cornerback Prince Amukamara joins 2009 winner and former teammate Ndamukong Suh to give the school back-to-back wins in this category.
In their final year in the conference before moving on to the Big Ten, the Cornhuskers also took home two other honors: quarterback Taylor Martinez (no relation) was named Offensive Freshman of the Year, while linebacker Lavonte David is Newcomer of the Year.
Other year-end awards went to Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder (Offensive Lineman), Oklahoma defensive end Jeremy Beal (Defensive Lineman), Oklahoma State punter/kicker Dan Bailey (Special Teams), and Oklahoma defensive back Tony Jefferson and Oklahoma State linebacker Shaun Lewis (Co-Defensive Freshman).
