Oct. 19, 2009
Austin -- Texas sophomore S Earl Thomas has been named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for games played on Oct. 17, the conference office has announced.
It is Thomas' second conference award of the season, following his two-interception performance against UTEP on Sept. 26. It gives the Longhorns an honoree in each of the last five weeks they have played.
Defensive tackle Lamarr Houston, LB Roddrick Muckelroy and Thomas each earned defensive honors in consecutive weeks from Sept. 12-26, while WR/KR Jordan Shipley earned special teams honors on Oct. 12.
Thomas registered a team-high seven tackles, including five solo, and three pass breakups in No. 2 Texas' 16-13 win over No. 18 Oklahoma. He added two tackles for loss (-21 yards), forced a fumble and sealed the Horns' victory with an interception on Oklahoma's final drive. Thomas helped UT hold a Sooners offense that was averaging 35 points per game to just 13 points, and limit a rushing attack that was averaging 187.8 yards per game to minus-16 yards on 22 rushing attempts.
This season, Thomas has posted 27 tackles (19 solo), five INTs, one of which was returned for a TD, and nine PBU. His 14 passes defended are the most in the nation and his five INTs are tied for the most. For his career, Thomas has started all 19 games and posted 99 tackles (69 solo), five TFL, seven INTs, 26 PBU and five forced fumbles.
Thomas shared the award this week with Texas Tech DE Brandon Sharpe.
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