Joe Sadlek/All-Pro Photography
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — West Virginia senior Tavon Austin was selected Thursday for the 2012 Paul Hornung Award, symbolizing the most versatile player in major college football.
Austin was one of two players in the nation with more than 500 yards in three statistical categories (rushing, receiving and kick returns) and one of three players with 110 or more catches.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the winner of the prestigious Paul Hornung Award,” Austin said in a university release. “Whether I am on the field as a receiver, in the backfield or as a returner, I have high expectations for myself, and I have always tried to use my versatility to help my team be successful. I want to thank my coaches and teammates for helping me achieve this honor.”
The other finalists for the award were Antonio Andrews of Western Kentucky, Dri Archer from Kent State and Marqise Lee of USC.
Previous winners of the Hornung Award were Stanford’s Owen Marecic in 2011 and Georgia’s Brandon Boykin in 2010.
Austin’s most prolific performance this season came in a 50-49 loss to Oklahoma when he registered 572 all-purpose yards, the second-highest single-game total in FBS history and a Big 12 Conference record. Austin set West Virginia’s single-game rushing record with 344 yards, and his two rushing touchdowns made him the first Mountaineer in school history to score a touchdown four different ways (receiving, rushing, kick and punt return) in one season.
“I like the way Tavon Austin plays the game,” said Hornung. “He is tough, he generates yardage almost every way possible and has a nose for the end zone. Tavon Austin is a deserving winner of the Paul Hornung Award.”
Austin will be honored on Feb. 15 at the Galt House in downtown Louisville during the annual Paul Hornung Award banquet.
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Comments
John weaver
Congratulations tavon Austin, well deserved!
January 10, 2013 at 12:25 pm | Report comment
unclec
Cong's Tavon wish you the best in the nfl. Thanks for all the great effort you displayed. Please send more like you to WV
January 10, 2013 at 12:39 pm | Report comment
scott
Thats why we call him Tavon AWSOME....way to go congrats and good luck in your future...hopefully we will be watching you for years to come in the NFL....God Bless
January 10, 2013 at 12:41 pm | Report comment
cutty77
I guess they save The Best Award for The Last Award.Tavon never really Had a Bad Game.Tavon my memories of you will last a Lifetime.You are simply The Best That has Very Played at WVU.The Best.
January 10, 2013 at 1:39 pm | Report comment
Protechcpa
Tavon is most likely the most exciting and dynamic player that ever will wear a WVU football uniform. A modern day football Jerry West. Thanks, Tavon, for choosing us. You would have been sensational anywhere you went and will be anywhere you land.
January 10, 2013 at 2:09 pm | Report comment
TC
Congratulations Tavon! Hope you always have fond memories of your years as a Mountaineer. And like Pat White says, "Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer!"
January 10, 2013 at 2:41 pm | Report comment
kensgirl
Great job! We are SO proud! You were the best thing that happened to the program in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time!!!
January 10, 2013 at 3:23 pm | Report comment
jake_d
Congrats to Tavon! It's been amazing watching him make defenders look silly the last 4 years. Good luck in the NFL!
January 10, 2013 at 4:01 pm | Report comment
Clay Raines
Thank you Tavon, we all appreciate your hard work and your accolades are well deserved. Congrats again, and best of luck in the NFL
January 10, 2013 at 7:51 pm | Report comment
Jean
GREAT job Rikki Tikki Tavon!!!
January 14, 2013 at 7:11 am | Report comment