11/10/03

Texas' Nathan Vasher added to Thorpe Award Semifinalists

AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas senior CB Nathan Vasher (Texarkan, Texas/Texas HS) has been added to the list of semifinalists for the Thorpe Award (nation's top defensive back), the Jim Thorpe Association announced today. Vasher increases the number of semifinalists for that award to 13.

Vasher, a third-year starter, leads Texas' secondary with 34 tackles, five tackles for loss, 18 pass breakups (T-No. 7 on the UT all-time single-season list) and ranks 20th nationally (4th Big 12) with five interceptions. A two-time second-team All-Big 12 performer, Vasher has 56 career pass breakups and is two shy of breaking Quentin Jammer's Longhorn all-time PBU mark set from 1997-2001. With a Big 12 record 16 career interceptions, he needs one pick to tie UT's all-time interception mark of 17. That record, one of the Horns oldest active records, was set by Noble Doss (1939-41) and has stood since 1941. Vasher also has posted 146 tackles and 14 TFLs in 44 career games (35 starts).

"One of my personal goals for the season was the Thorpe Award and I'm excited they decided to include me among the semifinalists," Vasher said. "I'm sure it was a tough decision because there are a lot of great DBs around the country. For me, it's a big honor to be listed among them. We have a big challenge with Texas Tech coming in this weekend and hopefully I can live up to the honor of being considered one of the nation's best defensive backs."

The senior turned in one of the best performances of his career in No. 6 Texas' 55-16 win at No. 21 Oklahoma State on Saturday. Facing his toughest personal test of the season, Vasher responded with his best game of the year as he posted four pass breakups, one tackle and intercepted a pass that set up Texas' first TD against the Cowboys. Vasher faced Biletnikoff Award semifinalist and the Big 12's leading receiver Rashaun Woods man-to-man the entire game and held him to four receptions for 43 yards. Woods entered the game averaging 5.8 receptions (31st NCAA) for 104.2 yards (4th NCAA) per game. He was averaging 18 yards per catch, but the longest reception he managed against Vasher was 16 yards. He did not catch a pass in the second half.

Vasher helped the Horns hold a Cowboy offense that was averaging 506.6 yards per game in home contests this year (413.1 ypg overall) to 309 yards. The Longhorns currently rank fifth nationally in passing defense (152.5 ypg) and their 44.1-percent completion percentage allowed (100-of-227) is the second-lowest in the nation.

Vasher and Texas' pass defense will face another stiff challenge this weekend with Texas Tech visiting Austin for a 6 p.m. game on Saturday (Fox Sports Net). The Red Raiders lead the nation in passing (508.7 ypg) and total offense (612.9 ypg), and rank second in scoring (44.9 ppg). Tech Quarterback B.J. Symons ranks first nationally in passing (474.1) , completions (366) and TD passes (44).

The finalists for the 2003 Thorpe Award will be selected on Mon., Nov. 24. The winner will be announced on the 13th Annual Home Depot College Football Awards broadcast live by ESPN from Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. on Thu., Dec. 11. A formal presentation of the award will be held Feb. 9, 2004, by the Jim Thorpe Association in Oklahoma City.

The Thorpe Award has been presented annually since 1986, based on the winner's performance on the field, athletic ability and character. It is named for Jim Thorpe, who was voted the 20th century's greatest athlete in a poll by ABC's Wide World of Sports. Thorpe was a two-time All-American running back and defense back, the winner of the decathlon and pentathlon gold medals at the 1912 Olympics and a standout in both professional football and baseball. He was the first president of what became the National Football League.

For more information on the Thorpe Award, go to www.jimthorpeassoc.org.