LOUISVILLE, Kent. – D.J. McKinney, who scored on special teams and on offense to lead UNM to a 33-14 win over Utah State, was one of five players, representing the Big Ten, Mountain West, SEC, MAC, and Big 12 conferences, named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll, presented by Texas Roadhouse, for their performances in week nine of the college football season.
Along with McKinney, other players honored were Roman Hemby, Indiana; Rayshawn Pleasant, Auburn; Brock Townsend, Central Michigan; and J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech.
The National College Football Awards Association named Hemby as the Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week for his performance in the Hoosier’s win over UCLA.
McKinney touched the ball 13 times, three different ways, and scored two different ways as the Lobos defeated Utah State 33-14 at home. McKinney opened the scoring with a 49-yard punt return in the first quarter, coming on his first collegiate punt return. He added a one-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to give UNM a 14-0 lead it would not relinquish. He had 113 yards of all-purpose yardage in the game.
The Louisville Sports Commission successfully launched the Paul Hornung Award in 2010 to honor its namesake and native son, and to promote outstanding performances by versatile college football players who often go unnoticed. Each week during the regular 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 18 sports journalists and former NFL stars, votes for the Hornung Award finalists and the winner, with fan voting powered by Texas Roadhouse serving as the 19th vote.