WEEK 2: Five Players from Three Conferences Earn Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll in Week Two
Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse to Most Versatile Player in Major College Football
Louisville, Ky. – Sept. 11, 2024 – Five players representing the Big 12, ACC and Sun Belt were named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for their performances in Week Two of the college football season. Making the list are Desmond Claiborne, Wake Forest; Quali Conley, Arizona; Travis Hunter, Colorado; Brennan Presley, Oklahoma State; and Zylan Perry, Louisiana.
Presley will be honored by the National College Football Awards Association as the Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week for his performance in Oklahoma State’s win over Arkansas from the SEC.
Wake Forrest junior running back/return specialist Demond Claiborne touched the ball three different ways and scored twice in the Demon Deacons’ riveting, 31-30 loss to Virginia at home. Clairborne carried the ball 22 times for 86 yards, scoring on a 17-yard run in the first quarter and a two-yard run in the second quarter. Clairborne accounted for five first downs rushing and receiving, including several that kept alive scoring drives, and returned a kickoff to the 29-yard line.
Arizona senior running back/return specialist Quali Conley touched the ball 23 times three different ways and accounted for 166 all-purpose yards as the Wildcats came from behind to defeat Northern Arizona 22-16 in Tucson. Conley carried the ball 17 times and caught five passes, accounting for five first downs and returned a kickoff to the 28-yard line.
Colorado junior defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter played 120 snaps on offense and defense in the Buffaloes’ 28-10 loss at Nebraska. On offense, Hunter caught 10 passes for 122 yards and accounted for five first downs. On defense, he made three tackles, including a tackle for a loss, and made one pass deflection.
Oklahoma State senior running back/return specialist Brennan Presley touched the ball three different ways and scored two different ways in the Cowboys’ 39-31, come-from-behind, overtime win against Arkansas in Stillwater. Presley caught nine passes for 91 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter that tied the score; and he carried the ball in for a score on third and goal late in the fourth quarter. Presley accounted for a first down or a touchdown on all seven OSU scoring drives and caught two punts, including a fair catch at the 10-yard line.
Louisiana sophomore running back/return specialist Zylan Perry touched the ball 13 times three different ways and scored what proved to be the winning touchdown in the Rajin’ Cajuns’ 34-10 road win over Kennesaw State. Perry carried the ball 10 times for 104 yards, including a 19-yard scoring run in the second quarter. Perry caught one pass and returned two kickoffs for 68 yards, including a 47-yard return that led to a Louisiana field goal.
The Louisville Sports Commission successfully launched the Paul Hornung Award in 2010 to honor its namesake and native son, and to promote outstanding performances by versatile college football players who often go unnoticed. Each week during the regular season, a panel of college football experts selects players for the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll based on performance. A national selection committee comprised of 18 sports journalists and former NFL stars votes for the Hornung Award finalists and the winner, with fan voting powered by Texas Roadhouse comprising the 19th vote.
2024 Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll
- Week 1: Quali Conley, Arizona; Travis Hunter, Colorado; Desmond Reid, Pitt; and Nicholas Singleton, Penn State.