Completed Event: Football versus New Mexico on September 19, 2026 , Win , 14, to, 6
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Football
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Photo by: Peyton Martin/University of Oklahoma
October 27, 2026 | Football
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma senior defensive back Peyton Bowen has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, which is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association announced Tuesday.
Bowen, who is from Corinth, Texas, has started all seven games this season at safety, where he has made 36 tackles, including 2.0 for loss and a sack, two interceptions, five pass breakups and a forced fumble. He has recorded at least three tackles in every game this season, at least four tackles in six games and seven tackles twice (vs. Texas and at Mississippi State).
All three turnovers Bowen has created this season were converted into points for the Sooners. He returned an interception 42 yards to give Oklahoma a 24-17 fourth-quarter lead in a 27-24 win over No. 1 Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Oct. 10. He also intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 24 yards to preserve a 20-7 fourth-quarter lead at Mississippi State on Saturday. OU kicked a field goal on its possession for a 23-7 lead in an eventual 23-15 win. He also forced a fumble behind the line of scrimmage in the season opener against UTEP, which was followed two plays later by a touchdown.
Bowen was named the Thorpe Award National DB of the Week and the SEC Defensive Player of the Week following his impact performance against Texas.
A starter in every game over the last two seasons, Bowen has played in 46 career games and made 27 starts, including in 21 straight contests. He has totaled 153 tackles, including 6.0 for loss and 2.0 sacks. He has also registered four interceptions (for 103 return yards), two forced fumbles, 17 pass breakups and three QB hurries. Over the last two seasons as a consistent starter, Bowen has compiled 83 tackles (3.5 for loss and a sack), four interceptions and 12 pass breakups.
He also earned the Thorpe Award National DB of the Week honors last season after he blocked a field goal and had four tackles and a pass breakup against Missouri. The following week, he intercepted a pass in the end zone against LSU and batted away a fourth-down pass attempt at the OU 29-yard with just over a minute remaining in the game to help the Sooners preserve a 17-13 win and earn a bid to the College Football Playoff.
Bowen was a Second-Team All-SEC selection last season, is a two-time member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll and was named to the 2023-24 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team. He was also a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award for his rookie campaign, in which he registered 36 tackles (one sack), five pass breakups, a forced fumble, a QB hurry and two blocked punts.
Three finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will be announced as part of a special presentation on Nov. 24 by ESPN and the winner will be announced Dec. 11 as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
Three Sooners have won the Jim Thorpe Award: safety Rickey Dixon (1987), safety Roy Williams (2001) and cornerback Derrick Strait (2003).
Oklahoma (4-3, 2-2 SEC) hosts South Carolina (4-3, 2-3 SEC) on Saturday at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The homecoming game is set to kick off at 3:15 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
Players Mentioned
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