The Paul Hornung Award

Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse, Given to Nation’s Most Versatile Player

Louisville, Ky. – September 16, 2019 –Two seniors and a sophomore were named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll in week three of the college football season: Jaylond Adams, Southern Mississippi wide receiver/return specialist; Dayan Ghanwoloku, BYU defensive back/running back; and Virginia senior Joe Reed, wide receiver/punt returner.

The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, now in its 10th season, is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission and football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville on March 4, 2020.

Sophomore wide receiver/return specialist Jaylond Adams of Southern Miss finished the day with 322 all-purpose yards while touching the ball four different ways, including a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, as Southern Miss edged Troy 47-42 on the road. His touchdown came in a wild fourth quarter when both teams scored 21 points and Troy had whittled the Golden Eagles’ lead to five. Adams caught 11 passes for 180 yards and four first downs, carried the ball one time and had one punt return.

Senior defensive back/running back Dayan Ghanwoloku of BYU, who plays several positions in the defensive backfield, made a big impact on both sides of the ball in the Cougars’ overtime win over USC in the Coliseum. Ghanwoloku scored the opening touchdown on a one-yard run against the no. 24-ranked Trojans, then picked off a pass in overtime to seal BYU’s upset win. He added nine tackles and one pass deflection for the day.

Senior wide receiver/return specialist Joe Reed of Virginia touched the ball rushing, receiving and returning kickoffs as no. 25-ranked Virginia came from behind at home to beat Florida State 31-24. Reed’s 12-yard touchdown reception tied the game in the fourth quarter, and his 22-yard run keyed Virginia’s game-winning touchdown drive late in the game. He had eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown, added 22 yards on the ground and returned one kickoff for 35 yards.

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 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 17 sports journalists and former NFL stars votes for the Hornung Award finalists and the winner, with fan voting powered by Texas Roadhouse comprising the 18th vote. Regional accounting firm Dean Dorton independently tabulates all votes. For more information, visit www.paulhornungaward.com. Fans can also follow online on Twitter (@hornungaward) and Become a Fan on Facebook.

Previous Paul Hornung Award winners by year:

• 2018: Rondale Moore of Purdue won the award as a dynamic All-American freshman sensation who broke a school record for all-purpose yards in a season and a game with 2,215 and 313 respectively.
• 2017: Saquon Barkley of Penn State won the award as an electrifying All-American running back who lined up at slot and wildcat quarterback, and returned kicks and punts;
• 2016: Jabrill Peppers of Michigan won the award by playing 15 different positions on defense, offense and special teams, and earning first team All-America at linebacker;
• 2015: Christian McCaffrey of Stanford won the award after breaking the NCAA record for all-purpose yards, finishing with 3,864;
• 2014: Shaq Thompson of Washington won the award as a two-way player, earning first team All-American honors at linebacker and finishing as the Husky’s second-leading rusher at tailback;
• 2013: Odell Beckham Jr. of LSU won the award after finishing the season ranked second in the nation and first in the Southeastern Conference with 2,222 all-purpose yards and 185.2 average yards per game;
• 2012: Tavon Austin of West Virginia won the award as one of two players in the nation with more than 500 yards in three different categories (rushing, receiving and kick returns);
• 2011: Brandon Boykin of Georgia won the award after excelling on defense, offense and special teams; and
• 2010: Owen Marecic of Stanford won the inaugural Paul Hornung Award as a two-way starter and All Pac-10 performer at fullback and linebacker.

Texas Roadhouse signed on as presenting sponsor of the Paul Hornung Award in 2011 and will team with the Louisville Sports Commission to power fan voting again this season. College football fans nationwide will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite player during the regular season and again during the bowl season. For more information and to vote, go to www.louisvillesports.org/paul-hornung/award-poll/