THIS IS A WEEKLY COLUMN WHERE WE GIVE OUT AWARDS TO THE BEST (AND WORST) PERFORMANCES OF THE WEEK IN THE BIG 12.
Eric Taylor Coach of the Week – David Beaty (Kansas)
It’s not often that Kansas football gets any sort of positive attention. Beaty is 1-16 since taking over as a head coach prior to last season, but he seems to have TCU figured out. The Jayhawks losses the past two seasons against TCU have come by a combined total of 7 points.
Kansas forced the Frogs to throw the football and rely on Kenny Hill’s arm to win the game. The result? 3 interceptions by the Jayhawks. Beaty pulled out all the stops Saturday including a well-executed hook n ladder on the on 4th and 22 with 30 seconds left in the game to get the Jayhawks at least close to field goal range. Despite Matthew Wyman’s three missed field goals, including a potential game-winner as time expired, Kansas played an outstanding game on Saturday. Best wishes to Coach Beaty as he continues his quest for his first Big 12 win as a head coach.
Mike Leach Offensive Player of the Week – Dede Westbrook (WR-Oklahoma)
Westbrook had 10 catches for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns against Texas. He had 74 more receiving yards than the rest of the team COMBINED. It seemed like Westbrook was open every time Baker Mayfield looked down the field, and the Texas secondary had no answer for him. Westbrook’s career day was rewarded by getting a 45-40 win in his final Red River Shootout.
Brian Bosworth Defensive Player of the Week – Brandon Stewart (CB-Kansas)
Stewart hadn’t so much as deflected a pass in his college career coming into Saturday’s game against TCU. The senior stepped up big time for the Jayhawks as he picked off Kenny Hill twice and deflected another pass. Stewart’s surprise performance was a key reason why Kansas was able to come within spitting distance of an upset. In a season without a ton of bright spots for Kansas, Stewart’s play on Saturday certainly was one.
J.D. McCoy Freshman of the Week – Shane Buechele (QB-Texas)
Buechele looked calm, cool and collected in his first Red River Shootout. This marked the first time the Longhorns had started a true freshman in this game since Bobby Layne back in 1944. Buechele went 19/36 for 245 yards, three touchdowns and just one interception. The Horns ultimately came out on the wrong side of Saturday’s 45-40 contest, but Texas fans should be encouraged by Buechele’s performance going forward.
Kentucky Deluxe Bottom Shelf Performance of the Week – Gary Patterson (Head Coach-TCU)
This marked the third year in a row that Patterson has allowed KANSAS to go the distance with his team. The Jayhawks are easily the worst power-five team in the country, and they came within a missed field goal of knocking off what was supposed to be one of the top teams in the Big 12.
Once is a fluke, twice is suspect, three times means it’s time to sound the alarm. Gary Patterson has done some great things for TCU over the past three seasons, but preparing his team to play Kansas is not one of them. Well done Gary, you are more than deserving of this award.
That wraps up this week’s awards. Tune in next week to see who brought home the hardware that weekend.