Nov. 9, 2009
WACO, Texas -- Baylor freshman quarterback Nick Florence was named Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week after his record-setting performance in Baylor's 40-32 upset at Missouri, the league office announced Monday.
The honor is the first for the rookie quarterback, and the second weekly honor earned by a Baylor student-athlete this season; linebacker Joe Pawelek earned defensive honors in week one.
Nebraska safety Matt O'Hanlon was named defensive player of the week and Texas A&M returner Cyrus Gray earned special teams honors.
In his fifth career start, Florence broke the school passing yardage record by throwing for 427 yards on 32 of 43 completions with no interceptions. He threw a career-high three TDs and added a rushing touchdown.
The 427 passing yards also established a school record for team passing yards. In setting the new individual passing mark, Florence broke the record previous held by current teammate Blake Szymanski, who threw for 412 vs. Rice in 2007.
Florence, a true freshman from South Garland (Texas) High School, entered the season No. 3 on Baylor's depth chart before being thrust into action in the season's third game vs. Northwestern State when starter Robert Griffin III and backup Szymanski both suffered injuries. Florence is 2-3 as a starter, having led the Bears to victories over Kent State and now Missouri.
Baylor returns to action Nov. 14 when it hosts No. 2 Texas at Floyd Casey Stadium for an 11 a.m. kickoff televised by FSN. Tickets are available online at www.BaylorBears.com or through the Baylor Ticket Office at 254.710.1000.
