WEEK 6: Players from ACC, MAC, SEC and Big Ten Earn Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll in Week Six
Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse to Most Versatile Player in Major College Football
Louisville, Ky. – Oct. 8, 2024 – Five players representing the AAC, MAC, SEC and Big Ten were named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for their performances in week six of the college football season. Making the list are Eli Heidenreich, Navy; Jaden Nixon, Western Michigan; JJ Pegues, Ole Miss; Koi Perich, Minnesota; and Jaylen Poe, Northern Illinois.
The National College Football Awards Association will honor Heidenreich as the Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week for his unparalleled performance in Navy’s win over Air Force.
Navy junior running back / return specialist Eli Heidenreich touched the ball 15 times three different ways for 203 all-purpose yards in the Midshipmen’s 34-7 road win over Air Force. Heidenreich carried the ball six times for 100 yards and caught five passes for 101 yards. Three of his rushes went for first downs on Navy touchdown drives; three of his receptions went for first downs, including one on a touchdown drive. Heidenreich returned two punts and fair caught two punts, all of which were important for field position.
Western Michigan junior running back / return specialist Jaden Nixon touched the ball 17 times three different ways and scored three times in the Broncos’ 45-42 road win over Ball State. Poe carried the ball 14 times for 124 yards and scored on 21-yard and 57-yard runs in the first quarter and on a 23-yard run in the fourth quarter. Four of his carries accounted for first downs. Nixon also caught one pass and handled two kickoff returns.
Ole Miss senior defensive tackle / running back JJ Pegues was an anchor on defense and carried the ball twice for touchdowns in the Rebels’ 27-3 road win over South Carolina. Pegues made two tackles and had a tackle for loss as Ole Miss kept South Carolina out of the end zone. Weighing in at 315 pounds, Pegues scored on a pair of one-yard runs in the first half when the Rebels built an unsurmountable lead.
Minnesota freshman defensive back / return specialist Koi Perich was the hero on defense and handled punts and kickoffs in the Golden Gophers’ 24-17 upset of Southern Cal at home. On defense, Perich recorded six tackles, including five solo, and his leaping interception in the end zone with nine seconds remaining sealed the win for Minnesota. On the previous series, his three-yard punt return late in the fourth quarter gave Minnesota the ball at their own 25-yard line to start the game-winning drive.
Northern Illinois freshman running back / return specialist Jaylen Poe touched the ball 17 times three different ways and scored twice in the Huskies’ 34-20 home win over UMass. Poe carried the ball 15 times for 98 yards and scored on a 22-yard run in the third quarter and a two-yard run early in the fourth quarter as NIU was battling for the lead; he also accounted for six first downs on touchdown drives. Poe’s 89-yard kickoff return late in the game set up the Huskies’ final 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. 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.
- Week 2: Desmond Claiborne, Wake Forest; Quali Conley, Arizona; Travis Hunter, Colorado; Brennan Presley, Oklahoma State; and Zylan Perry, Louisiana
- Week 3: Travis Hunter, Colorado; Jaden Nixon, Western Michigan; Nay’Quan Wright, South Florida
- Week 4: Travus Hunter, Colorado; Devonte Ross, Troy; DT Sheffield, North Texas, Brashard Smith, SMU
- Week 5: Travis Hunter, Colorado; DK Kaufman, NC State; Marion Lukes, Central Michigan