O’Brien candidates go head-to-head in this week’s games

FORT WORTH, Texas (Oct. 14, 2009) – The 2009 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award^® (The O’Brien) Marquee Match-up for week seven features two O’Brien Watch List candidates. Throughout the season, The O’Brien will highlight weekly match-ups which spotlight O’Brien candidates as they vie for the prestigious award honoring the nation’s best quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

Marquee Match-up: Oklahoma vs. Texas
Saturday, Oct. 17 at 11a.m. (CST) on ABC
The No. 20 University of Oklahoma Sooners and the No. 3 University of Texas Longhorns will clash on neutral ground during the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. This Big 12 South Division match-up pits two of the most effective quarterbacks in the nation against each other.

“I think it is fair for two of the best quarterbacks in college history to play in this game together,” said Texas head coach Mack Brown in Monday’s press conference. 

Commanding the Longhorns’ (5-0) offense is senior quarterback Colt McCoy, in his fourth career start against Oklahoma. McCoy, who leads the nation with a 73.4 completion percentage, completed 32 of 39 attempted passes and threw for 265 yards and one touchdown in the Longhorns’ 38-14 win over Colorado last Saturday.

Last week Sam Bradford reemerged to lead the Sooners (3-2) to a 33-7 victory over the Baylor Bears. Oklahoma completed five scoring drives in the final six possessions with Bradford connecting with Adron Tennell for a 3-yard touchdown in his final play.  

This pivotal conference game features two returning O’Brien candidates, McCoy, a 2008 Finalist, and Bradford, 2008 O’Brien Winner, battling it out in their campaign for the coveted O’Brien Award.

 Other Notable Games (based on start times)

• Cincinnati (Tony Pike) at South Florida (B.J. Daniels)
  Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. (CST) on ESPN
• Iowa (Ricky Stanzi) at Wisconsin (Scott Tolzien)
  Saturday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. (CST) on ESPN
• Arkansas (Ryan Mallett) at Florida (Tim Tebow)
  Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) on CBS
• Central Michigan (Dan LeFevour) at Western Michigan (Tim Hiller)
  Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) on ESPN360.com
• Minnesota (Adam Weber) at Penn State (Daryll Clark)
  Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) on ABC
• University of Southern California (Matt Barkley) at Notre Dame (Jimmy Clausen)
  Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) on NBC
• Virginia Tech (Tyrod Taylor) at Georgia Tech (Josh Nesbitt)
  Saturday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. (CST) on ESPN 2

About The O’Brien Fan Vote
Fans can now register and vote for any of the 120 FBS quarterbacks online at www.VoteOBrien.org. The Fan Vote counts as 5% during each round of the voting process. The Fan Vote will be combined with the results from the Selection Committee, an elite group of journalists, commentators, broadcasters and former Winners. The 2009 O’Brien Winner will be announced on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing Dec. 10 on ESPN and will be honored at the 33^rd Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner held at The Fort Worth Club on Feb. 15, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas.

About The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award^®
The O’Brien honors the nation’s best college quarterback of the year and inspires student-athletes to triumph both on and off the field. By recognizing and honoring athletes who excel in both sports and academics while exhibiting strong character and leadership, The O’Brien aims to help instill a lifelong moral fiber in each candidate. The O’Brien is overseen by the Davey O’Brien Foundation, which was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The Foundation has given away more than $770,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.

American Airlines is the official travel partner of The O’Brien. 

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