Eli Bowen earns Thorpe National Defensive Back of the Week after performance vs. Alabama

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The Oklahoma Sooners earned a top 5 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide for the second year in a row on the backs of a strong defensive effort. And for the second year in a row, cornerback Eli Bowen came up with a big interception that helped propel the Sooners to victory.

For his efforts, Bowen was named the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week.

In 2024, Bowen picked off Jalen Milroe on a wide receiver screen and returned it to the Alabama 14-yard line. Five plays later, Xavier Robinson gave the Sooners a 14-3 lead and all the momentum in the second half.

On Saturday night, it was Bowen once again giving the Sooners a ton of momentum early in their win over the Crimson Tide.

With Alabama driving in the first quarter, Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis pressured quarterback Ty Simpson up the middle and hurried the throw. Bowen intercepted the pass and returned it 87 yards for a touchdown that put Oklahoma up 10-0.

He also had five total tackles and a pass breakup. Bowen is one of many young playmakers that Brent Venables has on the defensive side of the football, and he’s come through in big games for the Sooners. And this is just year two for Eli Bowen in Norman. The future is now, and the future is bright.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Sooners Eli Bowen named Jim Thorpe National Defensive Back of the Week

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