The Paul Hornung Award

Four Wide Receivers/Returners, One Running Back/LB/Cover Man Lead Teams to Wins

Louisville, Ky., – September 24, 2018 – Four wide receivers who double as return specialists and one three-way player are named to the Paul Hornung Honor Roll for week four of the college football season. Temple running back Ryquell Armstead, who also played defense and special teams, is joined on the list by wide receivers Mecole Hardman (Georgia), Rondale Moore (Purdue), Sean Riley (Syracuse) and Marcus Simms, Jr. (WVU).

The Paul Hornung Award, now in its ninth 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 presented by Jewish Hospital Sports Medicine, to be held at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville in March 2019. This will be the Paul Hornung Award’s third year as an associate member of the National College Football Awards Association.

Senior running back Ryquell Armstead of Temple was the starter at running back, played four snaps at linebacker and covered punts and kickoffs in the Owls’ 31-17 win over Tulsa on Thursday night in Philadelphia. Armstead was a workhorse on the ground with 108 yards, four first downs and a score on 24 carries; his 22-yard touchdown run in the second quarter proved to the winning score. Armstead also recorded a sack on defense.

Junior Mecole Hardman of Georgia touched the ball four different ways and accounted for 190 all-purpose yards and a score in the Bulldog’s 43-29, hard-fought win at Missouri. Mecole’s 23-yard punt return sparked a third quarter scoring drive and his 54-yard scoring reception early in the fourth quarter stretched UGA’s lead to 40-22 and put the game out of reach. He also fair-caught a punt and had a 34-yard kickoff return.

True freshman Rondale Moore of Purdue touched the ball four different ways, scored twice and accounted for 161 all-purpose yards in the Boilermaker’s 30-13 upset win over no. 23 Boston College in West Lafayette. With the game tied early in the second quarter, Moore hauled in a short pass, shook several attempted tackles and raced 70 yards for a touchdown. Later in the quarter, he caught a nine-yard touchdown pass in what proved to be the winning score.

Junior wide receiver Sean Riley of Syracuse touched the ball four different ways, scored twice in the second half and finished with 290 all-purpose yards as the Orange defeated UConn 51-21 in the Carrier Dome. Riley led the Orange in receiving with six catches for 120 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown. His 41-yard punt return set up SU’s third score and his 69-yard punt return for a touchdown opened scoring in the second half when the Orange put the game away.

Junior Marcus Simms, Jr., of West Virginia touched the ball three different ways and accounted for 179 all-purpose yards and a touchdown to help the Mountaineers beat Kansas State 35-6 in Morgantown. Simms accounted for all the yardage on WVU’s first scoring drive by catching a 14-yard pass then motoring down the sideline with an 82-yard scoring reception on the next play. His 29-yard punt return and fair catch help shift the field for WVU’s second score.

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.

Previous Paul Hornung Award winners by year:

• 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, click HERE.