WEEK 6: Four Players Lead Teams to Conference Wins, Earn Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll
Louisville, Ky. – Oct. 11, 2022 – Three repeats and one newcomer earned the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for their performances in big conference wins this past weekend. Repeat honorees are Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State; Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama; and George Holani, Boise State. Wyoming’s Cameron Stone made the list for the first time.
The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, now in its 13th season, is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission. The Award pays tribute to the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner in downtown Louisville in March 2023.
College football fans nationwide have the opportunity to vote for their favorite player during the regular season and again during the bowl season. Online fan voting powered by Texas Roadhouse is now open HERE and factors into the selection of the finalists and winner.
Ohio State wide receiver / return specialist Emeka Egbuka touched the ball three different ways and scored once in the Buckeyes’ 49-20 road win over Michigan State. Egbuka caught seven passes for 143 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. He carried the ball twice for 19 yards and returned one punt and fair caught a punt. Egbuka accounted for four first downs receiving and one rushing.
Alabama senior RB / return specialist Jahmyr Gibbs was a workhorse for the Crimson Tide as he touched the ball 25 times three different ways in a hard-fought, 24-20 home win over Texas A&M. Gibbs carried the ball 21 times for 154 yards (7.3 yards a carry), caught three passes for 13 yards and returned one kickoff. He lined up at both running back and slot back on offense and accounted for seven first downs from scrimmage.
Boise State junior RB / return specialist George Holani touched the ball 20 times three different ways and scored once in the Broncos’ 40-20 home win over Fresno State. Holani carried the ball 17 times for 157 yards (9.2 yard average) and caught a five-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter that proved to be the game-winning score. He returned a punt eight yards, fair caught a punt and accounted for three first downs rushing and one first down receiving.
Wyoming sophomore DB / return specialist Cameron Stone played defense and special teams and scored once in the Cowboys’ 27-14, come-from-behind win over New Mexico in Albuquerque. After spotting the Lobos a 14-0 lead, Wyoming was leading 20-14 with less than two minutes to play when Stone snuffed out New Mexico’s potential winning touchdown drive with a 38-yard Pick 6. Stone also had four solo tackles and returned two kickoffs.
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 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.
2022 Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll
- Week 1: Jack Colletto, Oregon State; Derius Davis, TCU; Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State; Evan Hull, Northwestern
- Week 2: Jack Colletto, Oregon State; Jahmyr Gibbs. Alabama; Shedro Louis, Liberty; Bumper Pool, Arkansas; Sean Tyler, Western Michigan
- Week 3: Israel Abanikanda, Pitt; Devon Achane, Texas A&M: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State; Roschon Johnson, Texas; Will Shipley, Clemson; Chris Tyree, Notre Dame
- Week 4: Trey Benson, Florida State; Kaelon Black, James Madison; Jordan Byrd, San Diego State; Nathaniel Dell, Houston; Will Shipley, Clemson; Nohl Williams, UNLV
- Week 5: Shadrick Byrd, Charlotte; Jacob Cowing, Arizona; George Holani, Boise State; Johnnie Lang, Arkansas State; Xavier Worthy, Texas.