Michigan St CB Darqueze Dennard wins Thorpe Award

Published Dec. 12, 2013 8:23 p.m. ET

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Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard has won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's best defensive back.

Dennard was presented with the award Thursday during the 23rd College Football Awards Show at Disney.

The senior from Georgia finished the season with four interceptions and had two games with nine tackles, leading a dominant defense that carried the fourth-ranked Spartans to the Big Ten title. They will play No. 5 Stanford in the Rose Bowl.

The other finalists were Florida State's Lamarcus Joyner and Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert.