Nick Foles won’t have to worry about safety Johnny Thomas picking off one of his passes for a second consecutive year.
Oklahoma State’s starting senior safety, who intercepted Foles in the second quarter of the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl, was ruled academically ineligible on Tuesday and will miss the entire 2011 season.
Thomas started 11 games at free safety in 2010, racking up 63 tackles and three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). Sophomore Daytawion Lowe will start at free safety in Thomas’ place.
—Mike Schmitz