Stanford vs. Oregon is Hornung Award Game of the Week

Louisville, Ky. (Wednesday, November 9, 2011) – Stanford (9-0) takes on Oregon (8-1) this week in the Paul Hornung Award Game of the Week. The matchup features a plethora of Paul Hornung Award Watch List selections and Weekly Honor Roll selections that will face off in the 13th meeting between Associated Press Top Ten teams in the Pac-12 since 1986.

Stanford is the home of the inaugural Paul Hornung Award winner and current Cleveland Browns fullback Owen Marecic.

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 game features some of the top ranked scoring teams in the nation as Stanford (third at 48.2) and Oregon (fifth at 46.0) both rank in the top five nationally in the category.

For the Ducks, LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner, Cliff Harris and Josh Huff have all been honored by the Paul Hornung Award in some capacity in 2011.

James has been a dominant force at running back for Oregon, averaging 151.6 yards per game and posting six touchdowns. He has also caught 12 passes for 165 yards, returned six punts for 116 yards including one for a touchdown and had a 21-yard kickoff return.

Barner has battled injury throughout the season but has caught seven passes for 69 yards with a touchdown while returning three punts and seven kickoffs this season.

“They are not ranked number three in the country for no reason,” said Oregon coach Chip Kelly on Monday. “They have been very decisive in all of their wins, except for their great overtime win over USC. They have a great quarterback, the best in the country, and a lot of other guys to go along with him.”

One of those players in Paul Hornung Award Watch List selection Chris Owusu, but his status is uncertain following a recent concussion.

Owusu is the second leading receiver for the Cardinal with 35 receptions for 376 yards and two touchdowns in 2011. He has also been a solid threat in the return game averaging 22.1 per return on seven opportunities. Owusu also has two carries of 45 and 33 yards to his credit this season. He is second on the Stanford team in all-purpose yards with 631 on the season, one of seven players with over 300 yards on the season.

Something has to give in this matchup of versatile performances as Stanford has won 17 straight games, the nation’s longest winning streak and Oregon has won 18 straight conference games dating to 2009.

Saturday’s game begins at 8pm ET nationally on ABC.

Fan Voting Continues: A total of 59 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 59 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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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).