Sash, Dallas Bowl, Cardiac Hawks . . .

Oklahoma City--- The Jim Thorpe Award Screening Committee has announced 12 semi-finalists for the award given annually to the nation's best college defensive back.

This list will be narrowed again on November 23, to three finalists who will be invited to the nationally telecast Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on December 10. The winner will be announced on the show and the official presentation will be at a formal banquet in Oklahoma City on February 9, 2010.

The 2009 award marks the 24th presentation of the trophy, first won in 1986 by Baylor's Thomas Everett. Last year's winner was Ohio State University's Malcolm Jenkins, now playing for the New Orleans Saints.

Jim Thorpe Award winners are selected for performance on the field, athletic ability and character.

The 2009 semi-finalists are:

Javier Arenas, Sr., Alabama

Eric Berry, Jr., Tennessee

Barry Church, Sr., Toledo

Perrish Cox, Sr., Oklahoma State

Joe Haden, Jr., Florida

Brandon Harris, So., Miami (FL)

Taylor Mays, Sr., USC

Tyler Sash, So., Iowa

Darrell Stuckey, Sr., Kansas

Earl Thomas, So., Texas

Alterraun Verner, Sr., UCLA

Kyle Wilson, Sr., Boise State

The Screening Committee was allowed only 12 candidates on the semi-finalist list, but determined five additional outstanding players deserved recognition and were given honorable mention status. They are Kam Chancellor, Sr., Virginia Tech; Ras-I Dowling, Jr., Virginia; Brian Jackson, Sr., Oklahoma; Rahim Moore, So., UCLA; and DeAndre McDaniel, Jr., Clemson.

And here's news from the Big Ten:

COTTON BOWL STADIUM TO CONTINUE NEW YEAR'S DAY BOWL

TRADITION

DALLAS, TEXAS – Cotton Bowl Stadium, second only to the famed Rose Bowl Stadium in hosting more college bowl games than any other football arena in history, will once again be the home to a New Year's Day intercollegiate post-season football game – the Dallas Football Classic -- following next year's regular season.

“The promise of a new bowl game helps ensure that the Cotton Bowl remains a premier venue for college football,” said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. “The renovated stadium is a great site for games, as well as an affordable and accessible option for teams and fans. We are excited to continue the bowl tradition at the Cotton Bowl and Fair Park.”

The nation's newest bowl, the Dallas Football Classic will utilize a unique rotation system involving three major conferences. The Big 12 Conference, the Big Ten Conference, and Conference USA have all added the Dallas Football Classic to their future bowl line-ups, with all three agreements running through the 2013 regular season.

Following is the four-year schedule (selection placement shown for the Big Ten and Big 12 excludes BCS selections):

January 1, 2011 – Big 12 (#7) vs. Big Ten (#6)

January 1, 2012 – Conference USA vs. Big Ten (#6)

January 1, 2013 – Big 12 (#7) vs. Big Ten (#6)

January 1, 2014 – Conference USA vs. Big Ten (#6)

(Should an “at-large” selection be required, Conference USA will provide a back-up team in years 2011 and 2013, and the Big 12 will provide a back-up team in years 2012 and 2014.)

“Obviously we are honored that the Big 12, Big Ten, and Conference USA had the confidence to sign with us as we head into our inaugural season next year; they provide the key ingredients,” said bowl President Tom Starr. “In addition, we felt it was very important to land the New Year's Day berth, because that has always been the traditional date for college bowl games. We have outstanding conferences, the best game date possible, and a beautifully refurbished stadium filled with heritage and tradition; I couldn't be more pleased.”

The game will become official after receiving its licensing from the NCAA at the annual post-season bowl meetings next April.

Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe: “The Big 12 is pleased to have finalized its partnership with the Dallas Football Classic. This is a great location for our players, coaches, and fans. We also are excited about the match-up with a quality opponent from the Big Ten.”

Big Ten Commissioner James Delany: “The Big Ten looks forward to taking part in the inaugural Dallas Football Classic on New Year's Day in 2011, the start of a four-year agreement to play in historic Cotton Bowl Stadium against a team from the Big 12 or Conference USA. The Big Ten has played at least one post-season game in the state of Texas in every season since 1995. With the number of Big Ten alumni in Texas, playing a post-season game in the City of Dallas is a natural fit and should provide an outstanding experience for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans.”

Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky: “For decades, college football fans have gathered at historic Cotton Bowl Stadium on New Year's Day. We are so pleased that the tradition will continue. It is a special venue in a dynamic city. We are excited to be a part of it.”

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And this from Justin Scott, the man who brought you the

Kegger Tower: