Q&A: Jordan Shipley Postgame

Texas Longhorns star wide receiver Jordan Shipley spoke with the media following the BCS Championship game. In his final game as a Longhorn, the senior caught 10 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns.

What was going through your mind when Colt McCoy got hurt?

Well, I think all of us were definitely concerned when Colt went out. But I think the good thing is that Coach Davis spent so much time preparing here that he came in, and obviously started a little bit slow, but I can't imagine what it was like for him to be throwing there in the National Championship Game.

But I think Colt had an unbelievable career and Garrett played really well tonight.

After you scored the second touchdown, the two point conversion and got within three, were there thoughts of what happened five seasons ago going through your head as well as the rest of the team about the tremendous comeback?

I think everybody on our team believed that we were going to win the game, and it's been that way since I've been here. I think that's something that that team helped to establish was just that belief that we're going to win the game no matter what.

To come back from – especially at halftime with the play right before the half, and I'm just really proud of everybody, and I think we fought really hard and just came up a little short.

When did you all officially make the transition to the way Garrett threw the ball, because he obviously throws it a lot harder than Colt does. How difficult was it for you, and what pass do you think kind of turned it?

Well, I think both quarterbacks throw the ball really well, and I think both of them were capable of getting the job done tonight. You know, I think you've got to give a lot of credit to Garrett for coming in and playing as well as he did, especially in the second half. I was really impressed, and I think we were all really impressed.

What do you make of – Alabama will return a lot of guys next year. What do you make of their potential so to speak?

I think Alabama definitely is a great team, and I guess we've got a lot of respect for them, and I think they showed that they're definitely the best. With a lot of guys returning I'm sure they've got a chance to be really good again next year.

You've got to give a lot of credit to them for what they accomplished tonight, and it was a hard fought game.

Is it more empty feeling, the fact that you guys really don't know what would have happened because of Colt's injury? I mean, does this make it a tougher loss just because you'll really never know?

Well, I think there's always – with anything that happens in life, any loss, there's always things that you can look back on and wish they were different. But I think Sergio and I were talking about it, I think sometimes you've just got to look at all the ways you've been blessed. And I think we've been blessed in so many ways and just thankful for those. It was a great opportunity to be here, and we're thankful for that.

Photo Courtesy of Dennis Hubbard

Nebraska's Suh Wins 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FWAA) - Nebraska tackle Ndamukong Suh on Monday night claimed the 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which annually is awarded to the best defensive player in college football.

Suh became the 17th winner of the award as voted upon by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. He's the first Nebraska player to win the award.

"This was definitely a big surprise," Suh said at tonight's presentation banquet. "I want to thank all the other guys here. They are all great players. And I would like to thank the Bronko Nagurski family as well as the (Nebraska) coaches, Bo Pelini and his staff and my parents, This is a great honor. I am speechless. I was definitely not planning on winning this award."

But Pelini, also in attendance, was not surprised, saying, "I definitely think you picked the right man. He is a tremendous football player and a great individual."

Suh a 6-4, 300-pound senior from Portland, Ore., is considered a top NFL Draft prospect and will receive his degree in construction management. He is also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Award, the Outland Trophy, the Bednarik Award, the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Lott Trophy. The winner of the 2009 Outland Trophy, presented to the nation's best interior lineman by the FWAA, will be announced Thursday night on "The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show" live on ESPN.

During the 2009 regular season Suh led Nebraska in tackles with 50 unassisted and 32 assisted. He had 23 tackles for losses (12 sacks for 77 yards in losses), 10 pass breakups, 26 quarterback hurries, one interception, one forced fumble and three blocked kicks.

In the 13-12 loss to Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game this past Saturday, Suh was credited with 4.5 sacks of Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy, seven total tackles for loss, a career-high 12 tackles and two quarterback hurries.

"He's just a tremendous football player," Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said. "He finds a way within our defense to make plays, he gets it understands the game. He can just beat you in a lot of different ways. He is very instinctive for a defensive lineman which is very rare."

Suh's sack of Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert in the first quarter of the Cornhuskers' 27-12 victory over the Tigers in early October possibly changed the course of the Big 12 North season. Gabbert suffered and ankle injury on the play. Although he continued to play, his mobility was hampered and Suh intercepted a Gabbert pass in the fourth quarter that sparked the come-from-behind win.

Suh's efforts certainly mirror the person for whom the trophy is named. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is given in memory of the legendary Nagurski, a former All-American lineman at Minnesota (1927-29) and star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s.

"When you look at Suh, you see a player who can dominate a game," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "That defensive front is as good in the country. He is as good as any player in America. He is unbelievable. We have enjoyed watching him play. You look at their film and he is amazing player. You don't expect that someone, so big and so fast, to be over 300 pounds and be as fast as he is, it is amazing."

The four other 2009 Nagurski Trophy finalists were Iowa linebacker Pat Angerer, Tennessee back Eric Berry, Alabama tackle Terrence Cody and TCU end Jerry Hughes. Hughes was also a finalist in 2008.

Photo Courtesy of College Press Box

College Football Insiders Newsletter 3.8

In this week's issue:

* Inside the Nation: What four surprise schools could be going bowling?

* Award Watch: The Heisman Trophy & Davey O'Brien Award

* On Location: Pittsburgh Panthers

* One On One with Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams

* Player Spotlight on Blair White of Michigan State

* Game of the Week: Texas @ Oklahoma St.

* Conference Focus on Conference-USA

* Plus CFI's Top 25, BCS Busters, Fans Weekend Guide & Football Fans Four-Pack

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Photo Courtesy of David Knachel, Virginia Tech Athletics Communications