Jaden Nixon, Jason Taylor II Earn Big 12 Weekly Honors after Big Plays against Baylor

The men responsible for arguably the two biggest plays in OSU’s win over Baylor each came away with some extra accolades.

Jaden Nixon earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week and Co-Newcomer of the Week for his 98-yard touchdown on a kickoff return, and Jason Taylor II earned Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his game-sealing interception.

Behind the likes of Dominic Richardson and Ollie Gordon in the running back rotation, Nixon has carried the ball in spot duty so far this year. But that did not preclude him from showing out in a big way on special teams. Against Baylor, Nixon returned three kicks for 131 yards, but this is the one that earned him the honors.

JADEN NIXONNNNNN pic.twitter.com/WcCgl7Gm1H

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) October 1, 2022

Taylor is no stranger to making game-defining plays on defense or sniffing out the ball, and he did both on Saturday. With the Bears down 11 and making their last attempt at a rally, Baylor QB Blake Shapen went for a big strike to receiver Josh Cameron. Taylor read it perfectly and then made a great play on the ball.

Jason Taylor II back at it again with the INT. #OKState pic.twitter.com/e7SHKSNzB1

— Cody Nagel (@CodyNagel247) October 1, 2022

If Taylor misses there and Cameron corrals it, we’re likely looking at a three-point game with three minutes to go. But Taylor did, and the Cowboys were able to burn two more minutes off the clock to facilitate the win. Taylor also recorded seven tackles (two solo) in the win.

These represent the first weekly conference honors for Nixon in his career and the second for Taylor. He earned Defensive Player of the Week last season for his momentum-swinging pick-six against Texas.

Here’s a look at the Cowboys’ weekly honors in just four games so far this season.

Spencer Sanders (Offensive Player of the Week vs. Central Michigan)
Trace Ford (Special Teams Player of the Week vs. UAPB)
Jason Taylor II (Co-Defensive Player of the Week vs. Baylor)
Jaden Nixon (Special Teams Player of the Week vs. Baylor)
Jaden Nixon (Co-Newcomer of the Week vs. Baylor)