Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma’s Jeremy Beal Big 12 football players of year

By The Associated Press     Dec 2, 2010

? Justin Blackmon was named the Big 12’s offensive player of the year Wednesday after a breakthrough season in which he went from a relative unknown to the nation’s most productive wide receiver for No. 16 Oklahoma State.

Blackmon became the first receiver to win the honor after leading the nation with 1,665 yards receiving and 18 touchdown catches. Just a sophomore, he ends a streak of 11 straight years with quarterbacks as the Big 12’s top offensive player, and before that running backs Troy Davis and Ricky Williams combined to win the first three awards.

“He’s pretty amazing,” Cowboys coach Mike Gundy said. “He’ll have a good chance to win the Biletnikoff as the No. 1 receiver in the nation, so we felt like that he was the player of the year in this league. I never really talk much about that. In my opinion, (Auburn quarterback) Cam Newton is the Heisman Trophy winner. He is the best player in the country.

“Well, I believe Justin Blackmon is the best player in the league this year.”

Blackmon received 16 of the 20 votes from the Associated Press’ panel in a clean sweep by Oklahoma State, which is second in the nation in total offense. Running back Kendall Hunter received three votes and quarterback Brandon Weeden got the other one. Blackmon also received the same honor from the league’s coaches Tuesday.

Oklahoma defensive end Jeremy Beal was picked as the defensive player of the year in the closest balloting for this year’s awards. He received nine votes, Nebraska’s Lavonte David got six, Texas A&M’s Von Miller got four and Cornhuskers cornerback Prince Amukamara — the coaches’ pick for defensive player of the year — had one.

Nebraska swept the honors for newcomers, with quarterback Taylor Martinez winning on offense and David on defense.

NCAA rules Newton eligible

Indianapolis — The NCAA says Auburn quarterback Cam Newton’s father did indeed shop his son to another school, but ruled the Heisman Trophy front-runner is eligible to play in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

The NCAA released its finding in a statement Wednesday. The college sports governing body had concluded Monday that a violation of Newton’s amateur status had occurred. Auburn quietly declared Newton ineligible Tuesday and requested his eligibility be reinstated.

Newton now has been cleared to compete without conditions, after weeks of questions about whether he would be allowed to continue playing.

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36743Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma’s Jeremy Beal Big 12 football players of year