PHA Finalist Page Set to Guide Toledo in Military Bowl

Louisville, Ky. (Tuesday, December 27, 2011) – Toledo’s Eric Page is the first of the four Paul Hornung Award finalists to take the field during the 2011-12 bowl season on Wednesday when the Rockets face Air Force in the Military Bowl presented by Northrup Grumman. The All-Mid American Conference selection at three positions -- wide receiver, kickoff returner and punt returner -- hopes to lead the Rockets to their ninth bowl win in school history.

The Paul Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, is awarded annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in major college football.

The finalists were chosen by the 16-member Paul Hornung Award Selection Committee with fan voting on Facebook counting for an additional vote. Fans can vote online at www.votepaulhornung.com.

Page is only the third player in FBS to make first-team all-league at three positions. Page compiled 112 receptions, 1,123 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, threw a touchdown pass and returned a punt for touchdown. He returned 30 kicks for over 700 yards and also saw action at quarterback on several trick plays.

Page has been an intricate part of a successful Toledo offense that has scored at least 40 points in its last five games, a single-season school record. Toledo is averaging 53.4 points over that five-game span, with totals of 49, 63, 66, 44 and 45 in the five contests.

The game marks the debut of new Toledo coach Matt Campbell, the new youngest coach in NCAA Division I (FBS). He replaces Western Kentucky’s Willie Taggert as the youngest in the nation. Toledo (8-4, 7-1 MAC) was co-champion of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference along with Northern Illinois. The Huskies advanced to the MAC Championship Game by virtue of a 63-60 victory over Toledo on Nov. 1. Toledo's other losses were to Boise State, Ohio State and Syracuse.

The Paul Hornung Award winner will be selected from among the four Finalists following their participation in bowl games. Fan voting to select the winner, powered by Texas Roadhouse and the Louisville Sports Commission, is now open on Facebook. Fans can vote as often as once a day by going to www.votepaulhornung.com. The winner will honored on Feb. 2, 2012, at the Galt House in downtown Louisville during the annual Paul Hornung Award banquet, sponsored by Jewish Hospital Sports Medicine.

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. Owen Marecic of Stanford, a two-way starter and All Pac-10 performer at fullback and linebacker, was inaugural Paul Hornung Award winner.

All three 2010 Paul Hornung Award finalists now are playing in the NFL: Kentucky’s Randall Cobb (Green Bay Packers), TCU’s Jeremy Kerley (New York Jets) and Marecic (Cleveland Browns).

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Texas Roadhouse

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Texas Roadhouse opened its doors in 1993. In just 18 years, Texas Roadhouse has grown to more than 350 locations in 47 states. The company is famous for hand-cut steaks, made-from-scratch sides, fresh-baked bread, and its lively atmosphere. In 2007 and 2008 Forbes magazine ranked the company as one of the 200 Best Small Companies and in 2009 the company was ranked “Best Value” by readers of Consumer Reports magazine. For more information, visit www.texasroadhouse.com.

Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse

Created by the Louisville Sports Commission in 2010, the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. The Award is designed to promote college football and help preserve the legacy of one of Kentucky's best-known and accomplished athletes who has always called Louisville home. Hornung, the 1956 Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame and NFL MVP for the Green Bay Packers, set a single season NFL scoring record that stood 46 years. Paul is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, and Vince Lombardi once called Hornung, “The most versatile man ever to play the game.” A national selection committee comprised of 16 sports journalists and former NFL stars votes for the Hornung Award, and this year fan voting on Facebook powered by Texas Roadhouse will comprise the 17th vote. All votes are tabulated independently by regional accounting firm Dean Dorton Allen Ford. The winner is honored at a banquet presented by Jewish Hospital Sports Medicine in late January each year in downtown Louisville. For more information, visit www.paulhornungaward.com Fans can also follow online on Twitter (@hornungaward) and Become a Fan on Facebook.

Louisville Sports Commission

The Louisville Sports Commission is a Kentucky-based 501 c-3 organization whose mission is to attract, host and create quality sporting events and activities in the Louisville area that increase economic vitality; enhance the quality of life; promote healthy lifestyles; and brand Louisville as a great sports town. For more information, visit www.louisvillesports.org and follow the Louisville Sports Commission on Twitter (@SportsinLou).