Oklahoma State University Athletics
Weeden, Blackmon, Randle Honored as Nation's Best Teammates
February 08, 2012 | Cowboy Football
Feb. 8, 2012
STILLWATER, Okla. - The Pony Express Award Selection Committee has announced the Oklahoma State trio of quarterback Brandon Weeden, running back Joseph Randle and wide receiver Justin Blackmon as the recipients of the inaugural 2011 Pony Express Award. This is the first season for the award, honoring teammates for their hard work and dedication on and off the field. The offensive teammates led the Cowboys to a top-five ranking in total offense and passing offense, helping Oklahoma State to the school's first Big 12 championship, BCS bowl appearance and win.
Weeden, a senior quarterback from Edmond, OK, was a two-year starter for the Cowboys and is the owner of almost every school passing record at Oklahoma State. This past season, he broke several of his own single-season records with 4,727 passing yards and 37 passing touchdowns. Weeden was one of only two players at the FBS-level to finish the 2011 season with 400+ completions and recorded a 72.4% completion percentage. He also holds several career passing marks, leaving Oklahoma State atop the record books with 9,260 yards and 75 scores through the air over his two-year stint as a starter. Weeden is currently preparing for the 2012 NFL Draft and is considered one of the top senior quarterback prospects.
Randle, a sophomore running back from Wichita, KS, had a career-year as the team's primary running back, running for 1,216 rush yards on 208 attempts and 5.8 yards per carry. He finished third among running backs at the FBS-level in rushing touchdowns with 24 scores on the ground. Randle also added 43 catches out of the backfield for 266 yards and a pair of receiving scores. He is the lone member of this trio slated to return to the Cowboys offense in 2012.
Blackmon, a junior wide receiver from Ardmore, OK, produced triple-digit catches in 2011 for the second consecutive season, finishing with 122 receptions for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns (12.5 yard per catch average). He leaves Oklahoma State No. 2 in the school record books behind Rashaun Woods in catches (253), receiving yards (3,564) and touchdown grabs (40). Blackmon decided to forego his senior season in Stillwater and make himself eligible for the 2012 NFL Draft where he is projected to be an early first round pick.
"As a broadcaster this past season, I witnessed a lot of college football across the nation and I'm not sure I can think of a better group of teammates to earn this award than these three offensive playmakers from Stillwater," said Craig James, candidate for U.S. Senate and half of the famed Pony Express tandem along with Eric Dickerson. "These three players are most worthy of the award for their display of merit on and off the field."
The Pony Express Award, the brainchild of SMU's legendary Pony Express backfield of James and Dickerson, strives to honor excellence among college football teammates, recognizing tandems of two or three players from the same NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program. The players must be active, eligible and in good-standing with both the NCAA and their respective college or university.
"Weeden, Randle and Blackmon proved to be one of the most explosive trios in recent memory," said Dickerson. "These young men are certainly deserving of the first-ever Pony Express Award."
Players were considered for the award based on their performance academically, in the community and on the football field. Candidates also had to promote teamwork both on and off the field to help lead their respective team to success. Eligible candidates included players from offense, defense and/or special teams, regardless of position or class.
The winners of the Pony Express Award were selected by a 20-member Selection Committee comprised of members of the college football media. The three teammates out of Oklahoma State will be recognized at an awards dinner next month in Dallas.
