National
Awards (Individual)
The
Brent Musburger Award
Most
Outstanding Football Player
Winner:
Johnny
Manziel-QB-Texas A&M.
Runner
Up: Jarvis
Jones-LB-Georgia.
Third
Place: Geno Smith-QB-West Virginia.
Fourth
Place: Jadeveon Clowney-DE-South Carolina.
Fifth
Place: Tajh Boyd-QB-Clemson.
Sixth
Place: Ka’Deem Carey-RB-Arizona.
Seventh
Place: Marqise Lee-WR-USC.
Eighth
Place: Stedman Bailey-WR-West Virginia.
Ninth
Place: Tavon Austin-WR-West Virginia.
Tenth
Place: Kenjon Barner-RB-Oregon.
Eleventh
Place: AJ McCarron-QB-Alabama.
Twelfth
Place: Kyle Van Noy-LB-BYU.
Comments:
We
had an entirely new top 12 in the Musburger Awards this year. That’s not as
unlikely as it sounds, as only 2 of last year’s top 12 were back in college
football this year. Montee Ball (3rd last year) had another great
year this season but it wasn’t special enough to get him back in the top 12.
The real surprise is that Matt Barkley (6th last year) didn’t make
it back. I would have given him a good chance of being 1st, but he
didn’t end up anywhere near the top 12.
Only West Virginia--who
produced 3 of the top 12—had more than 1 representative in the top 12. The
Pac-12 had 6 players of the top 12 (half of the entire top 12!). The SEC had 4
representatives in the top 12. The ACC and the Independents produced the other
2 finalists.
Here’s the positional
breakdown: QB (4); WR (3); Defensive Player (3); RB (2). The Defensive players
were made up of LB (2) and DE (1).
The
Barry Sanders Award
Offensive
Player of the Year
Winner:
Johnny
Manziel-QB-Texas A&M.
Runner
Up: Geno
Smith-QB-West Virginia.
The
Lawrence Taylor Award
Defensive
Player of the Year
Winner:
Jarvis
Jones-LB-Georgia.
Runner
Up: Jadeveon
Clowney-DE-South Carolina.
The
Joe Paterno Award
Coach
of the Year
Winner:
Bill
Snyder-Kansas State.
Runner
Up: Bill
O’Brien-Penn State.
The
Herschel Walker Award
Freshman
Player of the Year
Winner:
Johnny
Manziel-QB-Texas A&M.
Runner
Up: Todd
Gurley-RB-Georgia.
The
Bernie Kosar Award
Top
Quarterback
Winner:
Johnny
Manziel-Texas A&M.
Runner
Up: Geno
Smith-West Virginia.
The
Bo Jackson Award
Top
Running Back
Winner:
Ka’Deem
Carey-Arizona.
Runner
Up: Kenjon
Barner-Oregon.
The
Sterling Sharpe Award
Top
Wide Receiver
Winner:
Marqise
Lee-USC.
Runner
Up: Stedman
Bailey-West Virginia.
The
Ozzie Newsome Award
Top
Tight End
Winner:
Zach
Ertz-Stanford.
Runner
Up: Austin
Seferian-Jenkins-Washington.
The
Jerome Brown Award
Top
Defensive Lineman
Winner:
Jadeveon
Clowney-DE-South Carolina.
Runner
Up: Alex
Okafor-DE-Texas.
The
Darryl Talley Award
Top
Linebacker
Winner:
Jarvis
Jones-Georgia.
Runner
Up: Kyle
Van Noy-BYU.
The
Scott Case Award
Top
Defensive Back
Winner:
Phillip
Thomas-SS-Fresno State.
Runner
Up: Bene
Benwikere-FS-San Jose State.
The
Kevin Butler Award
Top
Place Kicker
Winner:
Cairo
Santos-Tulane.
Runner
Up: Quinn
Sharp-Oklahoma State.
The
Reggie Roby Award
Top
Punter
Winner:
Ryan
Allen-Louisiana Tech.
Runner
Up: Alex
King-Texas.
The
Raghib Ismail Award
Top
Return Man
Winner:
Bernard Reedy-WR-Toledo
Runner
Up:
Marcus Murphy-RB-Missouri
Comments:
Bill
Snyder pulls off an impressive feat, winning National COY in back-to-back
years. There were no other repeat winners. Jarvis Jones was runner up top LB
last year. The only teams to win more than 1 award were Texas A&M (3; 4
including the Musburger) and Georgia (2). The conference breakdown looks like
this: SEC (6; 7 including the Musburger); Pac-12 (3); WAC (2); Big XII (1);
C-USA (1); MAC (1).
Top
3 Individual Performances (Offensive)
1.
Johnny Manziel-QB-Texas A&M at Alabama (Win, 29-24):
This wasn’t as much about stats as it was about the moment, the overall
performance, and leading the team to the biggest regular season win of the 2012
season. Manziel had a number of games in which he had more gaudy numbers, but
none of those games came on the road against the best team in college football.
It’s not that Manziel didn’t have great numbers in this game, it’s just that it
was more about him totally living up to the billing, coming through under all
of that pressure, and doing it as a freshman.
The Aggies were ranked
7-2 and ranked #15 coming into the game but they were still kind of flying
under the radar. Alabama was of course 9-0 and ranked #1. The Tide were coming
off of an emotional victory over LSU at night in Death Valley. They were
13.5-point favorites at home against the Aggies.
Manziel completed 24 of
31 passes for 253 yards, 2 TD, and no picks. He rushed 18 times for 92 yards,
averaging 5.1 yards per carry. A&M converted 11 3rd downs, and
Manziel accounted for 9 of those with his arm or his feet.
On A&M’s opening
possession he was 2 of 2 for 11 yards passing and ran 3 times for 35 yards, as
the Aggies went 73 yards in 9 plays to take a 7-0 lead. On the second A&M
possession Manziel was 2 of 2 for 42 yards passing, throwing a 10-yard TD on 3rd
and goal to make it 14-0 Texas A&M. On the third A&M drive Manziel
completed 6 of 7 passes for 23 yards and ran twice for 39 yards, as the Aggies
marched 73 yards for another TD to go up 20-0. Johnny Football converted a 3rd
down with a run and another 3rd down with a pass during the drive.
Alabama finally scored
to cut the score to 20-7 but A&M moved the ball again on their 4th
possession. Manziel was 5 of 5 for 42 yards passing and ran 4 times for 8
yards, as the Aggies moved 62 yards on 13 plays. He converted a pair of 3rd
downs into 1st downs through the air. However, on 4th and
6 from the Alabama 37, he was only able to run for 5 yards to the 32, coming up
a yard shy of the 1st down. Bama scored again to make it 20-14 at
the half.
The first A&M
possession of the 2nd half didn’t go well, as he completed a pass
for -1 yard and took a sack for -1 yard and the Aggies went 3-and-out. The
second possession of the 3rd quarter wasn’t any better. This time he
was sacked twice for a total of -9 yards and the Aggies again went 3-and-out.
Alabama got a FG to
make it a 3-point game, but the Aggies got back on track on their third
possession of the half. Manziel completed 5 of 7 passes for 42 yards and rushed
3 times for 18 yards, as the Aggies went 63 yards on 16 plays and got a FG out
of it to make it 23-17 early in the 4th quarter. On the drive,
Manziel converted a 3rd down with a run and 2 3rd downs
with passes.
On the 8th
Texas A&M possession of the game Manziel went just 1 for 4 on passes for 28
yards, and ran only once for 2 yards, as the Aggies moved it 51 yards in 6
plays. They tried to make it a 2-score game but missed a FG. Manziel’s only
completion during the drive converted a 3rd down into a 1st
down.
After a turnover, Texas
A&M took over with the score still 23-17. They needed just 2 plays to
score, with Manziel going 2 of 2 for 66 yards, including a 24-yard TD pass on a
scramble that gave A&M a stunning 29-17 lead. His only mistake was throwing
incomplete on the 2-point try.
There was less than 9
minutes remaining. Texas A&M only had one more real possession in the game.
After Bama scored to make it 29-24 the Aggies were not able to respond. Manziel
threw incomplete, rushed for 5 yards, and then was sacked for a loss of 5, and
the Aggies gave it back after a quick 3-and-out. It was A&M’s defense that
saved the Aggies with a goal line stand.
Even after getting
stopped on 4th and goal from the 2, Alabama had all of their
timeouts left with 1:36 on the clock. Bama’s defense came up with a stop as the
Aggies handed the ball off 3 times. But then with A&M in punt formation,
Bama jumped offsides, giving the Aggies the 1st down and the win.
It was the signature
win and the signature performance of the season.
2.
Geno Smith-QB-West Virginia vs. Baylor (Win, 70-63):
This one is all about the numbers. Well, almost all. At the time, it looked
like a pretty big win for the Mountaineers. West Virginia came into the game
3-0 and ranked #9, while Baylor was 3-0 and ranked #25.
Smith and the WV
offense put up video game numbers on this day, and so did Baylor’s offense. But
Geno’s numbers were the most ridiculous. He completed 45 of 51 passes for 656
yards, 8 touchdowns, and no picks. He also ran 5 times for 31 yards, averaging
6.2 yards per attempt. He led a WV offense that amassed 33 1st downs
and 807 yards of offense. They scored 70 points and converted on 12 of 15 3rd
downs.
Late in the 1st
quarter, Smith threw a 7-yard TD to tie the score at 14-14. Midway through the
2nd he fired a 47-yard TD to tie the game at 21-21. A little later
he threw a 20-yard TD to again tie the game, this time at 28-28. With a half of
a minute left in the 1st half he completed a pass for a 2-yard TD
that gave WV their first lead of the game, 35-28.
It was short-lived.
Early in the 3rd quarter Smith hit a 45-yard bomb for another TD to
put WV ahead again, 42-35. Later, he threw a 52-yard TD to make it 49-35. Early
in the 4th, with the lead cut to 56-49, Smith connected on an
87-yard strike to make it 63-49.
With less than 6
minutes to play and the lead again cut to 7 points, Smith threw a 39-yard TD,
his 8th of the game, to make it 70-56. The Mountaineers hung on to
win a defensive struggle, 70-63.
3.
Stedman Bailey-WR-West Virginia vs. Baylor (Win, 70-63): Geno
Smith’s biggest weapon in the win over Baylor was Stedman Bailey.
He wasn’t the only
weapon. JD Woods caught 13 passes for 114 yards and a TD, and also ran once for
16 yards. On most days that would be enough to make a guy the offensive player
of the game.
As you would expect,
Tavon Austin had a huge day, catching 14 passes for 215 yards and 2 TD’s. He
also returned 2 kickoffs for a total of 72 yards. On just about any other day
that would have easily been enough to make a guy offensive player of the game.
But on this day, it
wasn’t even enough for runner up. Bailey caught 13 passes for 303 yards and 5
touchdowns. In the 2nd quarter, Bailey caught 47-yard TD to tie the
game at 21-21; a 20-yard TD pass to tie the game at 28-28; and a 2-yard TD to
give the Mountaineers their first lead at 35-28. In the 4th quarter,
Bailey helped put the game away with TD catches of 87 yards and 39 yards.
Top
3 Individual Performances (Defensive)
1.
Kyle Van Noy-LB-BYU vs. San Diego State (Win, 23-6):
In the Holiday Bowl, Van Noy not only terrorized the hometown Aztecs, he
produced the majority of BYU’s points on a night that the Cougars’ offense was
abysmal. Van Noy collected 8 total tackles, including 5 solo, and had 1.5 sacks
and 3.5 TFL for -10 yards. He forced a fumble and recovered a fumble for a TD.
He intercepted a pass and returned it for a TD. And he blocked a punt.
During the 1st
quarter Van Noy stuffed a run for no gain, combined on a tackle for -2 yards,
and made another solo tackle.
In the 2nd
quarter, with San Diego State leading 6-0, the Aztecs had 2nd and 13
from the BYU 32. Van Noy came up with a TFL for -4 yards, pushing SD State back
to the 36. This led to San Diego State punting after an incompletion on 3rd
down. BYU then finally did something offensively, driving for a FG to get on
the board right before halftime.
In the 3rd
quarter San Diego State was forced to punt on their opening possession and Van
Noy blocked the punt, giving the Cougars the ball at the San Diego State 35.
Unfortunately, they could do nothing with it and had to punt. Van Noy had a
solo tackle and combined on a TFL for -1 yard over the remainder of the 3rd
quarter.
BYU still trailed 3-6
early in the 4th when San Diego State intercepted and took over at
their own 3-yardline. Van Noy now took things into his own hands again. On the
very next play, Van Noy sacked Adam Dingwell in the end zone, stripped the ball
away, and fell on it for a BYU TD, putting the Cougars ahead for the first time
in the game, 10-6, with 12:32 to play. In the business we call this a Hat Trick
or a Davy Pollack Special.
San Diego State fumbled
again on their next possession and BYU’s offense finally got into the end zone
to make it 16-6. On the ensuing SD State possession, the Aztecs faced 3rd
and 8 from their own 37. Van Noy combined on a sack of Dingwell for -1 yard
plus intentional grounding. San Diego State was forced to punt.
The Aztecs got the ball
back with 6-and-a-half minutes, certainly enough time for a comeback. But on 3rd
down Van Noy picked Dingwell off and returned it 17 yards for a score to put
the game away. That was the capper on the game and his unbelievable
performance.
2.
Jarvis Jones-LB-Georgia vs. Florida (Win, 17-9):
Jarvis was a force of destruction in this game. #2 Florida was 7-0 and favored
by 6. The Dawgs were 6-1 and ranked #10. They were trying to beat Florida in
consecutive seasons for the first time in decades.
Georgia’s offense
turned the ball over 3 times and went just 1 for 10 on 3rd down
conversions, but the defense saved the day over and over again, forcing 6
turnovers and limiting the Gators to 266 yards of offense and 9 points. Jarvis
was the leader of that defensive effort, and when it looked like the Dawgs were
on the verge of blowing it late, Jarvis came up with the biggest play of the
game.
Jarvis finished the day
with 13 total tackles, including 12 solo. He had 4.5 TFL for -24 yards and 3
sacks for -22 yards. He had 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 4 QB
Hurries.
On Florida’s first
possession of the game they faced 3rd and 8 from their own 18.
Damian Swann came on a blitz for the Dawgs and got to Jeff Driskel, forcing a
fumble. Jarvis corralled it for the Dawgs at the Florida 20. The offense soon
took advantage, scoring a TD to take a 7-0 lead.
Jarvis recorded a pair
of solo tackles on Florida’s second possession. He made another solo tackle on
Florida’s fourth possession later in the 1st quarter. Then on 3rd
and 14 from the Florida 44, Jarvis got in for a sack of Driskel and knocked the
ball loose. Cornelius Washington recovered for the Dawgs at the 44. Unfortunately, Aaron Murray fired a pick inside the red zone so Georgia was
unable to take advantage of the turnover.
The Gators fifth drive
began in the 2nd quarter. Jarvis made another solo tackle and then
stuffed a running play for no gain. At halftime the Dawgs led 7-6.
Florida’s first
possession of the 2nd half began at their own 8 and Jarvis got a TFL
for -1 yard to the 7 on the first play. On the Gators’ next drive they had 2nd
and 7 from their own 30 when Trey Burton lost the ball and Jarvis pounced on it
at the 26. The Dawgs could get only a FG out of the excellent field position,
increasing their lead to 10-6.
That was still the
score with 11:50 remaining in the 4th quarter when the Gators took
over at the Dawgs 43 following a punt. On the first play of the drive Driskel
ran 20 yards to the UGA 23. On 1st and 15 from the 28 Jarvis got
home for a huge sack, dropping the QB back at the 37 for a loss of 9. The
Gators ended up trying a 50-yd FG and they got it to make it a 1-point game
with 9:41 on the clock.
Now UGA’s offense
finally came through, as the Dawgs drove for a touchdown to make it 17-9.
Florida began their next possession at their own 26 with 7:11 on the clock.
Jarvis made 2 more solo tackles as the Gators marched their way down the field.
It was starting to look like the Gators were going to score a TD and then
attempt a dramatic game-tying 2-point conversion try.
On 2nd and 6
from Georgia’ 18-yardline Driskel fired complete over the middle to TE Jordan
Reed who made the catch and was heading inside the 5 when he was met by Jarvis
Jones. The ball flew out and the Dawgs recovered in the end zone for a
touchback with 2:05 on the clock.
That saved it. The
Dawgs ran out the clock to win it, ending Florida’s hopes for an undefeated
season. With the win, the Dawgs had
beaten the Gators in consecutive years for the first time since winning 3
straight from 1987 to 1989.
3.
Jadeveon Clowney-DE-South Carolina at Clemson (Win, 27-17): Clowney
made the defensive play of the year against Michigan in the Outback Bowl. But
his best single game performance came in the win over rival Clemson at the
other Death Valley. Clowney made 7 total tackles, including 6 solo. He recorded
4.5 sacks for -24 yards and had an additional QB hurry.
On Clemson’s second
possession of the game Clowney had a solo tackle and combined for a sack and a
loss of 5 yards, but the Tigers still went down and scored to take a 7-0 lead.
South Carolina responded quickly with a TD to tie the game but Clemson scored
again to take a 14-7 lead into the 2nd quarter.
It wouldn’t do for the
Gamecocks to try and beat the Tigers in a shootout. On the first play of the 2nd
quarter SC punted and Clemson took over at their own 41. Clowney recorded a QB
hurry, a solo tackle, and a sack for a loss of a yard during this drive, which
ended in a Clemson punt. At the half, South Carolina trailed 10-14.
SC got the ball to
start the 3rd quarter and scored a TD to take their first lead of
the game, 17-14. Clemson then began their first offensive possession of the 2nd
half. On 2nd and 9 from the 26 Clowney got in and dropped Tajh Boyd
way back at the 16 for a loss of 10. That killed the drive before it could
begin. They punted and SC got a FG to push the lead to 20-14. Clemson responded
with a FG of their own to make it a 20-17 SC lead going to the 4th
quarter.
The Gamecocks drove for
a TD to make it a 2-possession game. With 4:17 on the clock and SC ahead 27-17,
Clemson got the ball back at their 25. Now they would be passing every down and
South Carolina knew it. On the first play Clowney sacked Boyd again, this time
back at the 16 for a loss of 9.
Clowney was seriously
fuckin’ up the program. Apparently he also either caused brain damage to Dabo Swinney
or forced the Clemson head coach to concede the outcome of the game, as the
Tigers elected to punt down 10 with 3 minutes to go rather than go for it on 4th
and 16 from their own 19-yardline. By the time Clemson got it back they really
didn’t have enough time to score twice.
Fittingly, the game
ended with Clowney dropping Boyd for another sack, finishing off the 27-17
victory for the Gamecocks, their 4th straight victory over their
hated rivals.
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