Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gilbert Headed to College Football Awards Show
December 11, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Dec. 11, 2013
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State senior cornerback Justin Gilbert, who is one of three finalists for the 2013 Jim Thorpe Award, will be in attendance at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show Thursday night, where the award will be presented on ESPN.
The show will air from 6-8 p.m. Central and will originate from the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's BoardWalk at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
The Thorpe Award is given annually to the most outstanding defensive back in college football, with Gilbert and co-finalists Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State and Lamarcus Joyner of Florida State in attendance at this year's presentation. Below are player capsules highlighting the achievements of the three finalists:
Justin Gilbert - Oklahoma State
Gilbert has six interceptions this season, a mark that leads the Big 12 and ranks fifth nationally. He has two pick-sixes on the year, coming at Iowa State and at Texas. His 11 career interceptions rank 14th among all active players and his 27 career pass break-ups are the most for any Cowboy.
Additionally, he has three non-offensive touchdowns this year: a 31-yard interception return at Iowa State, a 100-yard kickoff return vs. Kansas and a 43-yard interception return at Texas. He has eight non-offensive touchdowns in his career. His kickoff return touchdown against Kansas earned him Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Gilbert leads all active players with six kickoff return touchdowns in his career. He is the Big 12 all-time leader in that category and is just one kickoff return touchdown shy of the NCAA career record of seven, held jointly by Clemson's C.J. Spiller (2006-09) and Houston's Tyron Carrier (2008-11). He also leads the Big 12 and ranks 17th nationally by averaging 26.6 yards per kickoff return.
In perhaps his best game of the season, Gilbert intercepted two passes and returned one 43 yards for a touchdown to help lead OSU to a 38-13 win over No. 23 Texas in Austin. He also had nine tackles and a pass breakup in the win and was recognized as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.
Gilbert and the No. 13 Cowboys will face Missouri in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 3 in Arlington, Texas.
Darqueze Dennard - Michigan State
Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State has four interceptions this season, which ranks third in the Big Ten Conference and tied for 70th in the NCAA. He forced a fumble, his second of the season, and recorded two pass break-ups in the Spartans 34-24 over No. 2 Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.
Dennard leads the Spartans and is tied for seventh in the Big Ten with 12 passes defended (four interceptions, eight pass break-ups). He was named Big Ten Player of the Week after tying his career high with two interceptions and recording eight tackles at Iowa on Oct. 5.
The senior was named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and is one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation's best defensive player). CBSSports.com ranks him as the No. 3 defensive player in the nation and he will be playing in the Reese's Senior Bowl on Jan. 25.
Dennard and No. 4 Michigan State will play in the Rose Bowl against No. 5 Stanford on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif.
Lamarcus Joyner - Florida State
Lamarcus Joyner of Florida State leads his team in sacks (5.0) and forced fumbles (three). He has also recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and four pass break-ups. He was named First Team All-ACC and is also one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Joyner recorded an interception in the second quarter of Florida State's 45-7 win over Duke in the ACC Championship. It was his second of the year. His first came against No. 3 Clemson on Oct. 19.
The senior is a pivotal piece of the Florida State defense, which is the nation's first-ranked pass defense and allows only 152 yards per game.
Joyner and No. 1 Florida State will play in the BCS National Championship against No. 2 Auburn on Jan. 6 in Pasadena, Calif.
