The Texas Tech duo of Riko Jeffers (Defensive) and Reggie Pearson Jr. (Newcomer) along with Texas’ Bijan Robinson (Offensive) and Oklahoma’s Gabe Brkic (Special Teams) picked up the season’s first Big 12 football weekly awards. Robinson garnered this third career player of the week after winning two for newcomer last season. The others are first-time honorees.
Robinson totaled 176 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns to earn Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. He compiled 103 yards on the ground with a touchdown on 20 carries (5.2 ypc), along with four receptions for 73 yards (18.3 ypr) and a touchdown in a 38-18 win over No. 23 Louisiana. It marked the third consecutive game in which the sophomore RB has scored multiple touchdowns, and the second-straight game in which he has had a rushing and receiving score. Over his last three games, Robinson has accumulated over 500 yards rushing, and has surpassed 100 yards in four of the last five. He was also named the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week.
Jeffers was awarded Defensive Player of the Week as he recorded a key pick-six midway through the third quarter to tie the game as Texas Tech overcame a 14-point halftime deficit with 31 unanswered points in a victory over Houston. Jeffers’ interception was one of four on the night for the Red Raiders, who limited Houston to only 53 yards of total offense in the second half. It marked the first pick-six for a Red Raider since 2018. The senior LB had four tackles in the win, including one of Texas Tech's four sacks and its 11 tackles for loss. His sack nearly went for a safety before Houston quarterback Clayton Tune was able to extend the ball just past the goal line. TTU’s four interceptions marked its most in a game since the Red Raiders notched five in an early 2008 victory over SMU.
Special Teams Player of the Week Gabe Brkic tied an FBS record with his three field goal makes of at least 50 yards (51, 56 and 55) in Oklahoma's 40-35 win over Tulane. No Sooner had ever made more than one 50-plus-yard field goal in a game. Brkic also made a 26-yarder and finished the day 4-for-5, tying a school record for makes in a game (11th time in school history and third time by Brkic). The redshirt junior’s 56-yarder to end the first half tied as the third-longest in school history and was the longest since 1977. His 51- and 56-yarders stand as the longest made field goals in a season opener in program history. Brkic was also 4-for-4 on PAT attempts against Tulane.
Pearson had a memorable debut as a Red Raider with an interception, a forced fumble and eight tackles in Texas Tech's come-from-behind victory over Houston to earn Newcomer of the Week. The junior DB picked off the first of four TTU interceptions on the night as the Red Raiders share the FBS high for interceptions through the first week of the regular season. Pearson's impact was felt throughout the field, though, as he was part of a Red Raider defense that limited Houston to only 251 yards of total offense. The strong defensive performance helped the Red Raiders overcome a 21-7 halftime deficit with 31 unanswered points in the second half. It marked the first time the Red Raiders had blanked an opponent over the final 30 minutes since topping Oklahoma State in the 2018 Big 12 opener.
Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
Bijan Robinson, Texas, RB, So.
Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Riko Jeffers, Texas Tech, LB, Sr.
Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
Gabe Brkic, Oklahoma, K, Jr.
Big 12 Newcomer of the Week
Reggie Pearson Jr., Texas Tech, DB, Jr.