South Carolina vs. Arkansas is Hornung Award Game of the Week

Louisville, Ky. (Wednesday, November 2, 2011) – Arkansas (7-1) takes on South Carolina (7-1) this week in the Paul Hornung Award Game of the Week. The matchup features a pair of Paul Hornung Award Watch List selections that have set themselves apart as the top at their position nationally in Joe Adams and Stephon Gilmore. The game will be played November 5, 2011 on National College Football Day.

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.

Adams, who is currently third on Arkansas’ all-time receptions list with 147, has been one of the nation’s most versatile return men this season. He is the only player in the SEC and one of three in the NCAA with two punt return touchdowns in 2011. His 15.8 yards per punt return leads the Southeastern Conference.

Adams has seen action as a punt return, receiver and has taken multiple carries from the backfield this season. Adams has previously seen action as a kick returner and even threw a touchdown pass during his freshman season.

“When we looked at our schedule and what we had going on in the month of October, the goal was to get back here 7-1, and we accomplished that,” Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said. “I’m really excited about it and happy about it. We look forward to this game this weekend. A top-10 matchup, that’s one of the things as a coach, as a player, that you want to be in games like this.”

Gilmore, a selection to this week’s Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll, is coming off an impressive performance against Tennessee. Gilmore was directly responsible for stopping two Tennessee scoring opportunities in the Gamecocks’ win over the Volunteers, allowing South Carolina to keep pace with Georgia in the SEC East. Gilmore blocked a 47-yard field goal attempts and recorded an interception in the endzone. He also had two tackles and a pass breakup in the win.

Gilmore has seen action as a defensive back, kick returner, punt returner and on other special teams this season and has added time on the offensive side of the ball during the course of his career. 

Fan Voting Continues: A total of 58 players are listed at www.votepaulhornung.com where voting for finalists of the Paul Hornung Award will continue until December 4. Fans can vote once daily to help select the finalists on the Facebook page powered by Texas Roadhouse.

Although all players in FBS are eligible for the award, fans can currently vote for 58 players eligible for fan voting on the Facebook page. To be eligible for fan voting, a player must be selected to the Weekly Honor Roll or be a member of the preseason watch list. 

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National College Football Day

Nearly 100 spectators gathered around a field in New Brunswick, New Jersey on November 6, 1869 to witness a game unlike anything seen before. On that day, Rutgers defeated Princeton, 6-4, but more importantly, the players left a lasting legacy that would evolve into the great spectacle of intercollegiate football. To honor the birth of an American institution, the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic created a holiday to be held annually on the first Saturday of November. For more information, visit http://nationalcollegefootballday.com/. 

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 46 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).