OU football notebook

Oklahoma placekicker Garrett Hartley is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, presented annually to the nation's best collegiate kicker, the Palm Beach County Sports Institute and Sports Commission announced Wednesday.

Mason Crosby of Colorado and Missouri's Jeff Wolfert are the other Big 12 Conference kickers named semifinalists.

Hartley has made 14 of 15 field goals and all 29 extra-point kicks he's attempted this season. The junior from Southlake, Texas, ranks fourth nationally in field goals per game.

Three finalists will be announced Nov. 20 and the award is given out Dec. 7 at the ESPN College Football Awards Show.

• A.P.'s ink: OU running back Allen Patrick says he has about 15 tattoos, mostly on his back, stomach and arms.

He has the names of his mother and siblings, as well as some inspirational sayings.

Many of the tattoos bear a religious theme. He has praying hands on his stomach, the Virgin Mary on one arm and Jesus' face on the other.

Patrick said religion is still a priority, something his grandmother instilled in him when he was young.

"Church was right there beside her house," he said. "Jump the ditch and go straight to the church. It wasn't no hassle getting us over there."

• Third down: Texas A&M ranks No. 6 nationally in third-down conversion percentage.

The Aggies have converted 52.5 percent (64 of 122) of their third downs through nine games this season.

"I think you convert a lot more third downs when they're short-yardage," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "They've had a lot more in short yardage than a lot of people have."

The Aggies' defense is equally strong on third down, allowing opponents to convert 28.1 percent (32 of 114). That mark also ranks sixth nationally.

Offenses have converted eight of 12 fourth-down tries against A&M, which ranks them 101st in the nation in stopping teams on fourth down.

By Scott Wright