OU’s Sanchez, OSU’s Peterson are Thorpe Award semifinalists

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma’s Zack Sanchez and Oklahoma State’s Kevin Peterson are two of the 16 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award.

The award is named after Oklahoma native Jim Thorpe and given each year to the player selected the top defensive back in college football.

Sanchez is a two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week this season, however he suffered a leg injury during Saturday’s win over Texas Tech and is expected to miss some playing time.

Peterson has one pass interception and 16 tackles this season.

Three finalists for the Thorpe Award will be named on Nov. 23 and the winner will be announced Dec. 10. The winner will also be honored during a banquet in Oklahoma City in February.