The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Shipley named AT&T ESPN All-America Player of the Week
10.17.2008 | Football
Oct. 17, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas senior WR Jordan Shipley has been named the AT&T ESPN All-America Player of the Week for week seven. The award was determined by a national fan vote between four nominated players.
Shipley won based on his performance in Texas' 45-35 win over then-No. 1 Oklahoma in Dallas on Oct. 11. Oklahoma State RB Kendall Hunter, Arkansas RB Michael Smith and Florida LB Brandon Spikes were the other candidates for the week.
Shipley registered a career-high and Red River Rivalry record 11 receptions for 112 yards and one TD. He also returned a kickoff 96 yards for a TD as part of a career-high 225 all-purpose yards. The 112 receiving yards marked his second 100-yard game of the season (155 vs. Rice). The 96-yard kickoff return was the third longest in UT history and also a Red River Rivalry record. It came in the second quarter and cut the Sooners' lead to 14-10. Shipley also made a 37-yard reception to place the ball on the OU 1-yard line as the key play on the fourth-quarter TD drive that gave the Longhorns the led for good at 38-35.
For his efforts, Shipley also was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week, Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, and received a helmet sticker from ESPN's College Football Final broadcast.
Shipley has recorded 78 receptions for 1,126 yards and 17 TDs (No. 3 on UT's all-time list) during his 33-game career (14 starts). He has caught a TD pass in eight of his last nine games, including a streak of six consecutive games, which is tied for second on UT's all-time list. In 2008, Shipley has posted 35 receptions for 480 yards (13.7 ypc) and eight TDs. His eight TDs are already tied for six on UT's single-season list. Over his last four games, Shipley has notched 28 receptions for 397 yards (14.2 ypc) and six TDs.
In December, four finalists for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year Award will be announced during a one-hour special on ESPN in conjunction with the announcement of the AT&T ESPN All-America Team as selected by the Football Writers Association of America. Fans will then get a chance to say who the best player in the nation is by voting for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year through the BCS. Voting ends at noon ET on Jan. 6, and the winner will be announced during the BCS National Championship game on FOX on Jan. 9.
