ATLANTA, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Four nominees for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week award have been announced after the seventh week of college football action, and now it's up to fans to determine the winner. Oklahoma State running back Kendall Hunter, University of Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley, University of Arkansas running back Michael Smith and University of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes have been selected by ESPN as this week's top candidates, based on the players' outstanding performances over the weekend. Fans can text message VOTE to 51234 on their wireless phone to opt in for the chance to vote.
Hunter stole the spotlight in #17 Oklahoma State's 28-23 defeat of #3 Missouri when he rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown. Shipley caught 11 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, and had a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the #5 Longhorns 45-35 win over the top-ranked Sooners in their annual Red River Rivalry. Smith rushed for 176 yards on 35 carries and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 63-yard run in the fourth quarter to lead Arkansas in a 25-22 win over #20 Auburn. Spikes, only the second defensive player to be nominated this year for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week Award, intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown in #11 Florida's 51-21 rout of SEC conference rival #4 LSU.
"This is truly an exciting season of college football, due in part to the play of these exceptional and passionate student-athletes," said Tim McGhee, director of corporate sponsorships for AT&T. "And while we are excited to present the opportunity, it is now all in the fans hands to pick the week seven recipient of the AT&T All-America Player of the Week Award."
Fans have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday to submit their votes. The winner will be announced during Thursday's ESPN College Football Primetime Presented by Applebee's. Standard text messaging rates apply.
There is no limit on fan voting, and each vote counts as one entry into a sweepstakes to win a trip to the 2009 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship game in Miami. Full sweepstakes rules can be found at http://www.espnallamerica.com/rules.aspx .
In December, four finalists for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year Award will be announced during a one-hour special on ESPN in conjunction with the announcement of the AT&T ESPN All-America Team as selected by the Football Writers Association of America. Fans will then get a chance to say who the best player in the nation is by voting for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year through the BCS. Voting ends at noon ET on Jan. 6, and the winner will be announced during the BCS National Championship game on FOX on Jan. 9.
Additionally, AT&T customers can view video highlights and photos of each week's candidates and track their favorite teams through AT&T's wireless NCAA Football Portal, which is accessible on AT&T handsets by launching AT&T MEdia(TM) Net and clicking through to the sports category. AT&T wireless customers with 3G handsets can also watch "Confessions of a College Football Junkie" video clips featuring Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit by accessing ESPN on AT&T CV.*
Through the AT&T MEdia Mall, fans can also download fight song ringtones from more than 150 college and universities. Animated screensavers and 3-D mobile wallpaper are available for more than 100 college and universities.
*AT&T CV requires a MEdia Max Unlimited or MEdia Net Unlimited bundle. Details on AT&T's MEdia Net bundles and other offers are available at http://www.att.com/wireless .
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