The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Three earn weekly College Football Performance Awards
11.27.2011 | Football
Nov. 27, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas- Three members of the Texas Longhorns football team received recognition from the College Football Performance Awards for their accomplishments in week 13 against Texas A&M. Sophomore CB Carrington Byndom was selected as the National Defensive Back of the Week, senior PK/P Justin Tucker was selected as Honorable Mention Placekicker of the Week and freshman CB Quandre Diggs was selected as Honorable Mention Punt Returner of the Week.
Byndom had a 58-yard interception for a touchdown in the third quarter which turned the tide for the Longhorns as they came back from a 16-7 halftime deficit to defeat the Aggies 27-25. In the game played on Thanksgiving night, Byndom had seven tackles (3 solo), one INT for a TD, three pass break ups and one TFL. For the season, Byndom has 53 tackles (37 solo), eight TFL, two INTs, 14 pass break ups, one forced fumble and one quarterback pressure.
Tucker kicked a 40-yard game-winning field goal with :03 seconds left to give the Longhorns the 27-25 victory in College Station. Tucker also made a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter to put Texas ahead 17-16. He is now 16-of-18 (.889) on the season and 39-of-45 (.867) for his career. He is a perfect 4-of-4 on kicks of 40-49 yards this year.
Against Texas A&M, Tucker also had five kickoffs for 323 yards (64.6 avg) and one touchback. He also punted 11 times for 380 yards (34.5 avg). Tucker was previously named the CFPA Honorable Mention Kickoff Specialist of the Week for weeks 7 and 12 and the CFPA Honorable Mention Punter of the Week in week 11.
Diggs also contributed to the Longhorns big third quarter with an 81-yard punt return to set up Tucker's first field goal. The punt return ranks as the fifth longest return in school history and the longest that was not a touchdown. On the night, Diggs returned two punts for 95 yards (47.5 avg) and four kickoffs for 85 yards (21.25 avg). Diggs also contributed stellar play at his cornerback position with four tackles (3 solo), an interception and three pass break ups. For the season, Diggs has 43 tackles (27 solo), three INTs (team leader), 4 TFL, two forced fumbles and 13 pass break ups. The three interceptions are tied for second most by a freshman in school history with Dakarai Pearson (2000) and Kyle Richardson (1994). Diggs was previously selected as the CFPA Honorable Mention Defensive Back of the Week in week eight for his play against Kansas.
