KU's Springer Named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

Sept. 13, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas middle linebacker Justin Springer was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week by the conference office Monday morning.

Springer, a senior from Los Fresnos, Texas, registered a career-high 15 tackles with three for loss, including a sack in the Jayhawks’ 28-25 victory against No. 15 Georgia Tech Saturday.

Springer recorded nine tackles in the second quarter alone. On the year he averages 11.0 tackles per game to rank second in the Big 12 and tied for 20th in the NCAA. Springer’s 22 tackles in two games are just three shy of his 2009 season total of 25.

Springer became the first Jayhawk to win a Big 12 player of the week honor since Maxwell Onyegbule claimed the defensive honor vs. UTEP in September of 2009.

Kansas, 1-1 on the season, travels to Southern Mississippi Friday night for an ESPN-televised game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Jayhawks will return home to close the non-conference portion of the schedule when they host New Mexico State Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.

Other league winners included Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones earning the offensive player of the week award and Texas Tech’s Eric Stephens being tabbed the special teams player of the week.