Six Named as "Paul Hornung's Most Versatile Performances of the Week"

By Robert Sampson, Paul Hornung Award

LOUISVILLE, KY (Oct. 18, 2010) - Six players, including two who posted wins over top ten teams this weekend, have been named "Paul Hornung's Most Versatile Performances of the Week," it was announced Monday by Paul Hornung and the Louisville Sports Commission.

"The honorees had a huge impact on their games this weekend," said Paul Hornung Award Selection Committee member and former NFL star Sam Madison. "They put up big numbers, touched the ball in numerous ways, broke open a game or scored in key situations."

Wisconsin's David Gilreath picked up the award for the first time this season after helping the Badgers to a convincing win over top ranked Ohio State. He returned the game's opening kickoff for a touchdown.

"For a coach to have the confidence to let a player touch the ball so many different ways is huge," said Madison. "From practice, to understanding the game plan to executing it on game day is impressive. We've seen this happen consistently with our Top Performers."

The weekly award honorees highlight elite performances from the previous week in college football that display the same versatility on the field as the legendary Paul Hornung.

Week Seven Honorees:

· Wisconsin's David Gilreath returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown on Saturday to ignite the Badgers' 31-18 win over No. 1 Ohio State. The WR also had one reception for 18 yards, one punt return, and three other kickoff returns for a team high 194 all-purpose yards.

· Alabama's Trent Richardson had 11 carries for 50 yards, five receptions for 101 yards with an 85-yard touchdown and three kick returns for 74 yards in a 23-10 win over Ole Miss on Oct. 16. He finished with 220 all-purpose yards.

· Kentucky's Randall Cobb had 170 all-purpose yards in a 31-28 win over No. 10 South Carolina, touching the ball five different ways: receiving, rushing, kickoff and punt returns and holding for placements. Cobb had eight carries for 27 yards, eight receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown and six returns for 75 yards. His TD reception and two-point conversion rushing in the final two minutes gave Kentucky its 31-28 final margin.

· Indiana's Tandon Doss had eight receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown in a 36-34 win over Arkansas State on Saturday, Oct. 16. The WR also four kickoff returns for 121 yards and 4 rushes for 17 yards for a team-high 241 all-purpose yards.

· East Carolina's Dwayne Harris ran the ball once and had nine receptions for 91 yards in the Pirate's 33-27 overtime win over N.C. State on Oct. 16. Harris also returned three punts for 75 yards and four kicks for 95 yards for a season high 260 all-purpose yards.

· Troy's Jerrel Jernigan had three carries for seven yards, six receptions for 77 yards with a touchdown, a 17-yard kick return and two punt returns for 87 yards, including a 75-yard return for a touchdown in a Oct. 16 win over Louisiana-Lafayette, 31-24. He finished with 188 all-purpose yards.

A weekly, up-to-date rundown of the individual accomplishments of each player on the Watch List can be found on the official website of the Paul Hornung Award at www.paulhornungaward.com.

Past Weekly Honorees

Week Seven: Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Tandon Doss (Indiana), David Gilreath (Wisconsin), Jerrel Jernigan (Troy) and Trent Richardson (Alabama).

Week Six: Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Greg Reid (Florida State), Mohammed Sanu (Rutgers) and Shaky Smithson (Utah).

Week Five: Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Tandon Doss (Indiana) and Denard Robinson (Michigan).

Week Four: Trey Burton (Florida), Jerrel Jernigan (Troy), Jeremy Kerley (TCU), Owen Marecic (Stanford), Terrell Pryor (Ohio State), Trent Richardson (Alabama), DJ Woods (Cincinnati) and Titus Young (Boise State).

Week Three: Jeremy Kerley (TCU), DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma), Trent Richardson (Alabama), James Rodgers (Oregon State), and Torrey Smith (Maryland).

Week Two: Kenjon Barner (Oregon), Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Jeffery Demps (Florida), Jerrel Jernigan (Troy), Joe Lefeged (Rutgers), Owen Marecic (Stanford), Keshawn Martin (Michigan State), Denard Robinson (Michigan), Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers).

Week One: Kenjon Barner (Oregon), Brandon Bing (Rutgers), Randall Cobb (Kentucky),

Dwayne Harris (East Carolina), Jerrel Jernigan (Troy), Demaris Johnson (Tulsa), Jeremy Kerley (TCU), Patrick Peterson (LSU), Austin Pettis (Boise State).

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Paul Hornung Award

Created by the Louisville Sports Commission, the Paul Hornung Award is designed to recognize versatile, high-level performers in major college football and help preserve the legacy of one of Kentucky's best known athletes. A panel of experts will select the inaugural winner in early January 2011; the votes will be tabulated by Dean Dorton Allen Ford. Hornung is considered by many the best all-around player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the No. 1 pick in the 1957 NFL draft. He played every position in the backfield during his career with the Irish, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks and played defensive back and was a multi-threat offensive back and prolific kicker in the pros. He was a member of four NFL championship teams as an all-pro halfback for the Green Bay Packers and led the NFL in scoring 1959-60-61, set the single season scoring record in 1960 with 176 points and was named League MVP following the 1961 season. Legendary Packers Coach Vince Lombardi called Hornung, "The most versatile man ever to play the game." Paul is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and resides in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. More information go to www.paulhornungaward.com.

Louisville Sports Commission

In the spirit of partnership with Paul Hornung, the Louisville Sports commission (LSC) will oversee and administer all aspects of the Paul Hornung Award including budget, selection process, marketing and PR, banquet, trophy, sponsorships, etc. An Advisory Committee co-chaired by LSC Chairman Steve Higdon and Executive Director Karl Schmitt and comprised of LSC Board leadership and local business leaders will provide guidance and insure integrity of the Award. The Louisville Sports Commission is a Louisville, Kentucky-based 501-c (3) organization committed to creating a legacy of economic and social vitality through sports. LSC attracts and hosts sporting events and activities that have a positive economic impact on the City, enhance the image of the Louisville area as a premier sports destination, promote healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages. More information on the LSC is available at www.louisvillesports.org and on our Facebook fan page.