PHA Finalists James and Boykin Set For Bowl Games

Louisville, Ky. (Sunday, January 1, 2012) – Oregon’s LaMichael James and Georgia’s Brandon Boykin are both set to take the field Monday, the second and third (of four) Paul Hornung Award finalists to take the field during the 2011-2012 bowl season.

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.

Georgia senior Brandon Boykin will face Michigan State in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2 in Tampa.

"You have a lot more time to prepare for a bowl game than you do for a regular-season game,” said Boykin. “The environment is a little more laid back because we have some time to enjoy ourselves before the game. Once the game starts though, we have to handle business. We are going to treat this like any other game but still enjoy the experience."

Boykin, a starting cornerback, saw action across the field in 2011, playing defensive back, kickoff returner, punt returner, tailback, quarterback in a "wild-dog" set, receiver and coverage man on kickoff and punt teams.

"Michigan State is a great team that is evenly matched on paper. They have a great defense and a lot of explosive players on offense. They have a great group of wide receivers and an experienced quarterback, so we have our work cut out for us. We're excited to get the chance to play them."

Boykin helped lead the Bulldogs to a 10-game winning streak and a spot in the Southeastern Conference Championship game. On defense, he had 31 tackles and nine pass breakups. On offense, he had touchdowns rushing and receiving. On special teams, he returned a combined 47 kicks.

Oregon junior LaMichael James will face Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl Jan. 2. James, the nation’s leading rusher, also returned 12 punts during the regular season and led the Ducks to a victory in the first-ever Pac 12 Championship game.

The Ducks are the only team in the country playing in a third straight BCS bowl game and are looking for their first win in Pasadena since 1917.

James has been a key part of the high-powered, quick strike Oregon offense. Of Oregon’s 75 offensive drives resulting in touchdowns, 41 have taken two minutes or less and 13 have lasted 60 seconds or less. UO’s longest drive of the season, in terms of yards, lasted 37 seconds as the Ducks drove 93 yards in three plays on consecutive pass completions of 46, 40 and 7 yards against Missouri State.

James put up astounding numbers during the 2011 season. He had 225 carries for 1,646 yards and 17 touchdowns, caught 17 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown despite missing two games with an elbow injury. He earned All-America selection for the second consecutive year. James earned consensus All-American honors a year ago.

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).