Standouts from Kansas State and Oklahoma were honored by the Big 12 for their performances in Week 5.
 
Oklahoma’s T.J. Pledger earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, while teammate David Ugwoegbu picked up Special Teams Player of the Week. K-State senior AJ Parker was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week and true freshman Will Howard collected Newcomer of the Week.

Pledger rushed 22 times for career highs of 131 yards and two touchdowns, as Oklahoma beat No. 22 Texas 53-45 in the Red River Showdown. He also registered a pair of receptions for 24 yards. His touchdowns came in the third quarter on 2- and 1-yard runs to give the Sooners a 31-17 cushion.

Parker's pick-six against TCU proved to be the difference in the game as K-State knocked off TCU, 21-14, in Fort Worth. The Wildcat defense held TCU to seven points in each half and more than 10 points under its season scoring average. Parker deflected a pass in the fourth quarter as well, and finished the game with six total tackles.

A blocked punt and recovery by Ugwoegbu deep in Texas territory helped the Sooners to a touchdown in the quadruple-overtime win over No. 22 Texas. It was OU's first blocked punt or kick of any kind this season. He also registered a career-high six tackles, including two for loss, and a sack on defense.

Howard became the first K-State true freshman QB to win his first road start in the game at TCU. His 80-yard run in the first quarter was the second longest by a QB and seventh overall in school history. He finished with eight completions for 117 yards, 86 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
 
All of this week’s recipients are first-time honorees. K-State became the first program since 2016 to have a player from its program win Newcomer of the Week in three consecutive weeks.
 
2020 BIG 12 FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – WEEK 5 AWARDS

Offensive Player of the Week
T.J. Pledger, RB, Jr., Oklahoma

Defensive Player of the Week
AJ Parker, DB, Sr., K-State

Special Teams Player of the Week
David Ugwoegbu, LB, So., Oklahoma

Newcomer of the Week
Will Howard, QB, Fr., K-State