KU's Onyegbule Shares Big 12 Defensive Award

Sept. 14, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas defensive end Maxwell Onyegbule was named the co-winner of the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week it was announced by the league office on Monday.

Onyegbule (pronounced On-yay-boo-lay), a senior from Arlington, Texas, had a breakout game in KU’s 34-7 victory at UTEP on Saturday.

Making his second career start, Onyegbule registered a career-high and team-high tying six tackles. Among his tackles were two sacks and three total tackles for loss. He also had a pass broken up and was credited with a quarterback hurry, as KU registered six sacks and nine total tackles for loss in the game. The Jayhawks defense limited UTEP to just 208 total yards, including just four on the ground.

In two starts this season, Onyegbule has nine tackles with 3.5 for loss, including the two sacks. He entered the year with 30 career tackles, including 17 last season. For his career, Onyegbule has eight sacks and 11 tackles for loss, as well as one interception.

He shared the award with Lamarr Houston of Texas, who had four tackles, including one sack and another tackle for a loss, and a pass broken up.

Taylor Potts of Texas was the offensive player of the week while Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State earned special teams accolades.

Last year two Kansas players earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors as Todd Reesing was the offensive selection and Darrell Stuckey was the defensive pick for their efforts against Missouri. The last time a Jayhawk defensive lineman earned league player of the week honors was Charlton Keith for his efforts against Nebraska in 2005.

Kansas hosts Duke on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. The game will be televised on Versus. Ticket information can be found online at www.kuathletics.com