Cropper named to Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll

Fan Vote

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fresno State freshman Jalen Cropper was named on Monday to the week 10 Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll, the organization announced. The Paul Hornung Award is presented by Texas Roadhouse annually at the end of the season, and is given to the most versatile player in college football by the Louisville Sports Commission and football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung.

Joining Cropper on this week's honor roll was Antonio Gibson, Memphis wide receiver/kick returner; Wesley Kennedy III, Georgia Southern running back/return specialist; and Avery Williams, Boise State corner back and punt returner.

Freshman wide receiver and kick returner Jalen Cropper of Fresno State touched the ball rushing, receiving, returning kicks and passing, and accounted for touchdowns two different ways in the Bulldogs' 41-38 win at Hawaii. Cropper threw a 36-yard touchdown pass on a trick play to open the scoring then scored on a 53-yard run. He had three receptions for 62 yards, two rushes for 61 yards, accounted for four first downs, two kick returns for 32 yards and completed one pass.

Senior wide receiver and kick returner Antonio Gibson of Memphis racked up 386 all-purpose yards and scored spectacular touchdowns of 50 yards or more three different ways in the Tigers' 54-48 win over previously unbeaten SMU. He scored on a 50-yard touchdown reception midway through the second quarter, returned the opening kickoff of the second half 97 yards for a score, then ran 78 yards for a touchdown mid-fourth quarter for what proved to be the winning score.

Junior running back and returner Wesley Kennedy III of Georgia Southern was a workhorse in the Eagles' 24-21 upset win at Appalachian State, scoring two touchdowns on the ground, returning punts and fielding kickoffs. He carried the ball 13 times for 145 yards, scored on a two-yard run in the first quarter and a 68-yard run early in the third quarter. Kennedy added a punt return for 15 yards and fair caught two punts and one kickoff.

Junior cornerback and punt returner Avery Williams of Boise State made plays on defense and special teams as the Broncos won 52-42 at San Jose State. With Boise State down 14-0 late in the first quarter, Williams returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown to kickstart a scoring onslaught. He added eight tackles on the night, including seven solo tackles, and had one pass deflection.

Each week during the season, a panel of college football experts selects players for the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll based on performance. A national selection committee comprised of 17 sports journalists and former NFL stars votes for the Hornung Award finalists and the winner, with fan voting powered by Texas Roadhouse comprising the 18th vote. Regional accounting firm Dean Dorton independently tabulates all votes. For more information, visit www.paulhornungaward.com. Fans can also follow online on Twitter (@hornungaward) and Become a Fan on Facebook.

College football fans nationwide will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite player during the regular season and again during the bowl season. For more information and to vote, go to www.louisvillesports.org/paul-hornung/award-poll.

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Cropper named to Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll

Players Mentioned

Jalen Moreno-Cropper

Fresno State Athletics