Hubbard, Lynch atop All-Big 12
Oklahoma State running back and national rushing leader Chuba Hubbard is The Associated Press Big 12 offensive player of the year and Baylor career sacks leader James Lynch is the top defensive player.
Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, the graduate transfer from Alabama, was the unanimous pick as first-team quarterback and also got all 20 votes as the conference’s top newcomer. He was one of a league-high six first-team picks from the Sooners, who are in the College Football Playoff for the fourth time in five seasons.
Baylor’s Matt Rhule was chosen as the coach of the year. Baylor is going to its first Sugar Bowl since 1957, and will play Georgia on New Year’s Day.
Hubbard has 1,936 yards and 21 touchdowns rushing. The sophomore leads all FBS and FCS players with 161.3 yards per game, and has an active streak of 10 straight 100-yard games.
Lynch ranks eighth nationally with his 121/2 sacks, which are a singleseason Baylor record. He also holds the school’s career record with 21. The junior was a first-team pick as defensive end after getting first-place votes on all 20 ballots — 15 for end and five for tackle. He has played both positions on Baylor’s three-man front.
Hurts is the Big 12 leader with 376.1 total yards per game and has accounted for 50 TDs. He is the Big 12’s second-leading rusher at 96.5 yards per game.
Tech QB Duffey looks to transfer
There will not be a quarterback competition at Texas Tech in the involving Jett Duffey.
The redshirt junior quarterback, who started the final eight games of the season while opening-day starter Alan Bowman was again sidelined by injury, has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal.
Duffey compiled 2,840 yards passing with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games, adding 212 yards rushing and another score on the ground. He completed 65.1% of his passes, going over the 300-yard mark in four consecutive games to finish the season. Duffey averaged 339.5 passing yards per game.
Duffey (6-1, 195) started 11 games in his Texas Tech career, finishing with 3,678 yards passing, 24 touchdowns through the air and 11 interceptions.
He was the Red Raiders’ leading rusher in 2018, totaling 369 yards with four scores.
Silverfield named Memphis coach
Memphis has hired Ryan Silverfield as the Tigers’ new coach, removing the interim tag given to him when Mike Norvell left for Florida State.
Silverfield becomes the 25th head coach in Memphis history. He will make his debut Dec. 28 in the Cotton Bowl against No. 13 Penn State.
Silverfield came to Memphis with Norvell in 2016 and was the offensive line coach and run game coordinator in 2018 before being promoted to deputy head coach for this season.