The Paul Hornung Award

Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse to Most Versatile Player in Major College Football

Louisville, Ky. – Oct. 15, 2024 – Five players representing the ACC, Mountain West, AAC and Big Ten were named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for their performances in week seven of the college football season. Making the list are Isaac Brown, Louisville; Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, Colorado State; Brendon Lewis, Nevada; DT Sheffield, North Texas; and Tyler Warren, Penn State.

The National College Football Awards Association will honor Tyler Warren as the Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week for his record-tying performance in Penn State’s win over USC.

Louisville freshman running back/return specialist Isaac Brown touched the ball 23 times three different ways and scored twice in the Cardinals’ 24-20 comeback win over Virginia in Charlottesville. Brown carried the ball 20 times for 146 yards and two scores, including a seven-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and a 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Seven of his carries accounted for first downs, including four that were on touchdown drives. Brown also caught one pass and handled two kickoffs.

Colorado State sophomore quarterback/punter Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi threw for 265 yards and a touchdown, rushed for 35 yards and a touchdown and punted once in the Rams’ 31-24 home win over San Jose State. Fowler-Nicolosi scored on a 23-yard run in the second quarter and completed a 62-yard scoring pass late in the game that proved to be the winning score. His 47-yard punt pinned the Spartan’s inside the 10-yard line and the Rams’ converted the next possession into a touchdown.

Nevada junior quarterback Brendon Lewis led the team in passing, rushing and receiving in the Wolf Pack’s 42-37 home win over Oregon State. Lewis completed five passes for 51 yards and carried the ball nine times for 151 yards, including a 67-yard sprint to the end zone late in the game for what proved to be the winning score. He also caught an 18-yard pass good for a first down during a Wolf Pack touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter.

North Texas junior wide receiver/return specialist DT Sheffield touched the ball 14 times three different ways and scored the game’s final two touchdowns in the Mean Green’s 41-37 road win over FAU. Sheffield caught 11 passes for 126 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown reception with 2:38 remaining in the game that closed the deficit to 37-34 and a three-yard, game-winning touchdown reception with 0:58 remaining. Five of his receptions accounted for first downs, all on scoring drives. He also handled two kickoffs and returned a punt 27 yards.

Penn State senior tight end/all-purpose player Tyler Warren touched the ball 19 times three different ways for 237 total yards and a touchdown in the Nittany Lions’ 33-30 comeback win in overtime over USC at the LA Coliseum. Warren tied an FCS record for a tight end with 17 receptions, good for 227 yards, including a 32-yard scoring catch when he lined up as a center-eligible and snapped the ball to a shotgun quarterback. Seven of his receptions counted for first downs during scoring drives and his four-yard rush as wildcat quarterback went for a first down on a field goal drive. He also completed a nine-yard pass.

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: Travis 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
• Week 6: Eli Heidenrich, Navy; Jaden Nixon, Western Michigan; JJ Pegues, Ole Miss; Koi Perich, Minnesota; Jaylen Poe, Northern Illinois