The Paul Hornung Award

Two 2015 Hornung Award Finalists Make Appearances on Week Three Honor Roll

Louisville, Ky. – September 19, 2016 – Three familiar faces and one newcomer were named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll following game-winning performances in week three of the season. Georgia’s Isaiah McKenzie earned Honor Roll for the second time this year, as did 2015 Paul Hornung Award winner Christian McCaffrey. Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers, a finalist in 2015, earned his first Honor Roll recognition this year along with newcomer Janarion Grant of Rutgers.

The Paul Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, is annually awarded to the most versatile player in major college football. For the first time in its seven-year span, the Paul Hornung Award is an associate member of the prestigious National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The winner of this year’s award and his family will be honored on March 7, 2017, at a banquet presented by KentuckyOne Health at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville, Ky.

Week Three Honorees:

Rutgers wide receiver Janarion Grant touched the ball receiving, rushing, throwing and returning punts for 175 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns to help rally the Scarlett Knights from a 21-0 deficit against New Mexico for their second comeback win this season. Grant’s 21-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter narrowed Rutger’s deficit to 21-14 and his 69-yard punt return for a score gave Rutgers a lead they would not relinquish. Grant returned eight punts 112 yards, including a 33-yard return to set up the final field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey turned in a workmanlike performance in the Cardinal’s 27-10 road win over USC with 260 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. McCaffrey scored on a 56-yard pass in the first quarter from the slot position and scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the second quarter by carrying the ball seven straight times for 49 hard-earned yards, capped off by a one-yard plunge on fourth down and goal. He rushed 30 times for 165 yards, caught four passes for 73 yards, returned one kickoff for 22 yards and fair caught two punts inside the 20.

Georgia wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie’s 20-yard touchdown reception in the final minute proved to be the game-winner for the Bulldogs in a thrilling, 28-27 SEC road win over Missouri. McKenzie recorded 166 all-purpose yards receiving, rushing and returning punts, scored three times  and made big play after big play in the back-and-forth battle. His six-yard rushing touchdown brought Georgia back from a 10-0 deficit and his touchdown reception late in the second quarter gave the Bulldogs a 21-20 lead. McKenzie’s kick and punt returns helped the Bulldog’s maintain solid field position

Michigan defensive standout Jabrill Peppers was a dominant force in the Wolverines 45-28 home win over Colorado playing defense, special teams and offense. He recorded nine tackles, one sack and 3.5 tackles-for-loss on defense; amassed 81 yards on kickoff returns and 99 yards on punt returns, including a 54-yard touchdown for the game’s final score on special teams; and added 24 yards rushing on two carries on offense. His punt and kickoff returns provided Michigan excellent field position during the entire game. Peppers accounted for 204 all-purpose yards

Past Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll Selections

Week One: Thomas Sperbeck (Boise State), Brandon Wilson (Houston), Christian McCaffrey (Stanford), Isaiah McKenzie (Georgia)

Week Two: Quadree Henderson (Pitt), Kalen Ballage (Arizona State), KaVontae Turpin (TCU)