Saquon Barkley named Hornung Award Finalist. Photo by Antonella Crescimbeni (The Daily Collegian & Wikipedia).

Junior running back among four finalists for honor given to most versatile player in major college football

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; November 9, 2017 – Junior running back Saquon Barkley (Coplay, Pa.) is among the four finalists for the Louisville Sports Commission’s Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse.

Barkley is the first Penn State player to be named a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, which was established in 2010. The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in major college football. This year’s winner of the award will be honored March 7, 2018 at a banquet at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville.

Barkley is second in FBS in all-purpose yards per game with a 195.67 average. He scored at least one touchdown in 15 consecutive games from Oct., 29, 2016 until Oct. 28, 2017, which broke Curtis Enis’ school record of 14-straight games with a score over the 1996 and 1997 seasons. Barkley is 31st in FBS in rushing yards per game (96.0) and 15th in scoring (9.3 ppg). He is one of nine players in FBS this season with two or more kickoff return touchdowns, which ties the school record held by Chuck Peters (1940), Curt Warner (1980) and Derrick Williams (2008). Barkley’s 30.2 kickoff return average is ninth in FBS.

Barkley is just the first player in Penn State history and fourth in Big Ten history to total 3,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a career. Barkley has claimed five Big Ten Player of the Week awards (three offense, two special teams) this season. He has nine conference honors (five offensive, two freshman, two special teams) in his career. Barkley’s five career offensive weekly honors are tied for ninth in Big Ten history. Barkley is a four-time Hornung Award Honor Roll selection this season.

The No. 13/16-ranked Nittany Lions host Rutgers Saturday at noon on Big Ten Network in a Homecoming and Military Appreciation matchup. The game can also be heard on GoPSUsports.com and the Penn State Sports Network.