Oklahoma State University Athletics
Okung A Unanimous All-American
December 15, 2009 | Cowboy Football
Dec. 15, 2009
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung earned the distinction of being a unanimous All-American today after he was named to the first-team squads of both the Associated Press and Sporting News.
He joins Barry Sanders (1988), Leslie O'Neal (1985), Bob Fenimore (1945), Alonzo Mayes (1997) and Terry Miller (1977) as Oklahoma State football unanimous All-Americans based on the criteria of their respective eras.
To earn unanimous All-American status, one must be included on each of the five recognized All-America teams, which are those from the Football Writers Association of America, the American Football Coaches Association, the Walter Camp Foundation, the Associated Press and Sporting News.
The 2009 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy presented to the nation's top interior lineman, Okung has been a staple of the Oklahoma State offense since arriving on campus four years ago. With Okung leading the way, OSU has led the Big 12 in rushing each of the last four seasons. More remarkable is this: He has paved the way for three different 1,000-yard running backs in as many years. Through 12 games, Cowboy RB Keith Toston has rushed for 1,177 yards.
Widely considered as the nation's top offensive lineman, Okung leads all Oklahoma State players with 46 consecutive starts entering the Cowboys' Cotton Bowl date with Ole Miss and through 12 games this season, he has 127 knockdown blocks and 58 domination blocks. With 836 snaps played this year, Okung has allowed only one sack and has yielded only two quarterback pressures.
Also named to both The Sporting News and Associated Press All-America teams today was cornerback Perrish Cox. Cox was a first-team honoree by The Sporting News and a second-team selection by the Associated Press.
One of 11 semifinalists for the Thorpe Award presented to the nation's top defensive back, Cox leads the nation with 1.73 passes defended per game. The Big 12 career leader in kick return yards, Cox owns the Oklahoma State career record for kickoff returns for touchdowns. The Waco, Texas native routinely matched up against the top receiver from the opposing team as a senior in 2009, holding Biletnikoff Award finalist Jordan Shipley from Texas and first-team all-SEC honoree A.J. Green from Georgia well below their respective season averages.
In addition to his first-team all-Big 12 status, Cox was recognized as the Big 12 defensive player of the week after picking off two passes against Texas Tech and was the Big 12 special teams player of the week after a key 74-yard kick return against Georgia.
