The Paul Hornung Award

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

Louisville, Ky. – Oct. 29, 2024 – Six players representing the ACC, Big 12, MAC and Sun Belt were named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for their performances in week nine of the college football season. Making the list are Isaac Brown, Louisville; Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest; Travis Hunter Colorado; Coleman Owen, Ohio; George Pettaway, James Madison; and Breshard Smith, SMU.

The National College Football Awards Association will honor Travis Hunter as the Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week for his performance in Colorado’s win over Cincinnati.

Louisville freshman running back / return specialist Isaac Brown touched the ball 24 times three different ways and scored twice in the Cardinals’ 31-27 come-from-behind road win over Boston College. Brown carried the ball 18 times for 85 yards, including a four-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter that helped erase a 20-0 Louisville deficit and an 18-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter that closed the deficit to 27-24. He also caught three passes for 17 yards and handled three kickoff returns.

Wake Forest junior running back / return specialist Demond Claiborne touched the ball 26 times three different ways and accounted for 204 all-purpose yards in the Demon Deacons’ 27-24 road win over Stanford. Claiborne carried the ball 23 times for 123 yards and caught three passes for 62 yards. He accounted for five first downs rushing, including first down runs on a touchdown drive and a field goal drive. Claiborne also made one first down catch on a field goal drive and handled one kickoff return.

Colorado junior defensive back / wide receiver Travis Hunter played 132 snaps combined on offense and defense in the Buffaloes’ 34-23 home win over Cincinnati. Hunter played all 61 snaps on defense where he recorded two tackles and broke up four passes. On offense, he played 68 of 71 snaps and led the Buffs’ in receiving with nine catches for 153 yards and two scores – a two-yard reception that opened the scoring and a 34-yard catch with 0:03 on the clock that gave Colorado a 24-14 halftime lead. Five of his catches accounted for first downs, all on Colorado scoring drives.

Ohio senior wide receiver / return specialist Coleman Owen touched the ball eight times three different ways and scored three touchdowns two different ways in the Bobcats’ 47-16 home win over Buffalo. Owen caught six passes for 146 yards and scored on a 65-yard reception mid-second quarter that proved to be the game-winner and a 13-yard reception in the closing seconds of the first half that gave the Bobcats a 24-10 halftime lead. Owen’s 22-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach. He also handled one punt return.

James Madison sophomore running back / return specialist George Pettaway touched the ball 20 times three different ways and scored once in the Dukes’ 32-15 home win over Southern Miss. Pettaway caught two passes for 34 yards and carried the ball 16 times for 119 yards, including a four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Four of his carries accounted for first downs and two of his receptions went for first downs, including one touchdown drive. Pettaway also handled two kickoff returns.

SMU senior running back / return specialist Breshard Smith touched the ball 30 times three different ways and scored twice in the Mustangs’ thrilling, 28-27 overtime win against Duke in Durham. Smith carried the ball 26 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns, including a one-yard scoring run in the first quarter and a 24-yard breakaway scoring run in overtime. He caught three passes for 22 yards and handled one kickoff return. Six of Smith’s carries accounted for first downs, including three first downs on touchdown drives. One of his receptions accounted for a first down.

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, Breshard 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
• Week 7: Isaac Brown, Louisville; Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, Colorado State; Brendon Lewis, Nevada; DT Sheffield, North Texas; Tyler Warren, Penn State
• Week 8: Ja’Quez Cross, Arkansas State; Jacob De Jesus, UNLV; Kelley Joiner, USF; Jaylin Noel, Iowa State