Associated Press
IRVING -- Quick, name last year's Big 12 rushing leader.
It might be easier in four months than it is right now.
Kansas State's Daniel Thomas was the only player in the conference to average more than 100 rushing yards per game in 2009. In a league dominated recently by big-name quarterbacks, Thomas thinks he can help lead the way back to the days of Ricky Williams, Adrian Peterson and Darren Sproles.
"It's pass-happy now," said Thomas, who led four 1,000-yard rushers in the Big 12 with 1,265 last season. "But I feel like this year, there are four or five guys that are probably the best running backs around. So I feel like this will be the year of the running backs again."
The reserved Thomas was peppered with phrases such as "face of the team" and "top of the draft board" Tuesday during Big 12 media days. He didn't flinch and smiled throughout, but kept his answers short.
"Yeah, I'm ready. I'm ready to play, to be honest," Thomas said. "Coach [Bill] Snyder told me to expect that coming in from last year."
Nine of the 10 leading rushers in the Big 12 are expected back, including two other 1,000-yard rushers in Alexander Robinson of Iowa State and Roy Helu Jr. of Nebraska. As a result, the odds are better that the league's offensive player of the year could be a running back -- instead of a quarterback -- for the first time since Colorado's Chris Brown in 2002.
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By George, Brandon: There are many things Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden has experienced that most college football players haven't. Like talking to late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
The former pro baseball player was New York's first pick in the 2002 draft, a pitcher taken in the second round. He said Steinbrenner called after Weeden signed out of high school for a $565,000 bonus.
Weeden remembered playing rookie ball in Tampa, Steinbrenner's hometown, and being around "The Boss" when the big league club was in the midst of a long losing streak.
"He was not a happy camper," said Weeden, who is taking over for Zac Robinson and will turn 27 in October. "Rookie ball, it's different. You don't have any fans. You're just sitting around watching games. Everybody sees 'The Boss' and everybody kinda scoots this way, 'I don't want him sitting by me.' He was an intimidating guy."
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Mizzou's momentum: Missouri's streak of five consecutive winning seasons is the school's longest in nearly 30 years, and coach Gary Pinkel has a chance for the most sustained success since the Dan Devine era in the 1960s.
A year ago, Pinkel was trying to ease the pressure on quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who was replacing Columbia cult hero Chase Daniel. Gabbert held his own as a sophomore, throwing for more yards than Colt McCoy (3,593) with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions in an 8-5 season.
Now, Gabbert's a year older and senior running back Derrick Washington (865 yards, 10 touchdowns) brings experience as well.
"We know we can win at a high level," Gabbert said. "Last year, we definitely could have won more games than we did."
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Oklahoma State safety arrested again: Already facing a charge of driving under the influence, Oklahoma State safety Victor Johnson has been arrested again.
University police arrested Johnson just after midnight Saturday morning at his campus apartment for allegedly obstructing an officer who was responding to a complaint of a suspicious odor, according to school spokesman Gary Shutt.
The 20-year-old Johnson is already facing a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol from last month. He pleaded innocent on that charge during a court hearing Monday in Stillwater, Okla.
He has played in 19 games at OSU and started twice last year.
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Iowa State player Sims charged in credit card case: Iowa State defensive back David Sims has been charged with unauthorized use of a credit card.
The aggravated misdemeanor charge was filed Tuesday by the Story County (Iowa) Attorney's Office. Sims is due in court Aug. 2.
Cyclones coach Paul Rhoads issued a statement saying Sims will face disciplinary action internally. He also says Sims has been relieved of his post as co-captain.
Sims, a senior from Gainesville, Fla., was the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2009.
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