11/10/2026 9:59 AM | Football
Award recognizes the most versatile player in major college football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Utah's Devon Dampier was selected by the National College Football Awards Association as the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week after his performance in the Utes' 28-20 victory over then-No. 9 BYU last Saturday. The Paul Hornung Award recognizes the most versatile player in major college football.
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Dampier went 14-of-26 through the air for 177 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, while also rushing 20 times for 87 yards with two scores on the ground. He added a 29-yard catch from wide receiver Creed Whittemore on a 4th-and-1 play.
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The Phoenix, Arizona, native is just the second FBS player in the last 30 seasons to have multiple pass touchdowns, multiple rush touchdowns and 25+ receiving yards in single game. With the win on Saturday, Dampier is now 19-2 as the starter at Utah, taking sole possession of the sixth-most wins by a QB in program history.
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Dampier has been responsible for multiple touchdowns (passing + rushing) in all nine games this season. The only other players to accomplish that feat are Darian Mensah of Miami and Louisville's Lincoln Kienholz. At Cincinnati on Oct. 31, Dampier set the program record for most career rushing yards by a quarterback.Â
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Through Week 10, Dampier ranks sixth among all active Big 12 quarterbacks with 7,836 career passing yards, however Dampier has made his mark as a true dual-threat with 2,809 career rushing yards—trailing only Auburn's Byrum Brown (2,871) for the FBS quarterback lead.
Dampier became one of just five Big 12 quarterbacks all-time to both rush and pass for 150-plus yards against a ranked opponent on Oct. 24, doing so against then-No. 14 Houston (204 passing, 150 rushing). He orchestrated 178 total yards of offense (passing + rushing) in the second half and ran for two touchdowns.
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About the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse
The Paul Hornung Award has built an impressive legacy over its first 16 seasons, with nine winners becoming first-round NFL Draft picks — KC Concepcion, Tavon Austin, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Travis Hunter, Christian McCaffrey, Jabrill Peppers, DeVonta Smith and Shaq Thompson.
Hornung, who passed away in his hometown at age 84 in November 2020, played every position in the offensive backfield during his career with the Irish in the 1950s. He also played defensive safety, punted, placekicked and returned kickoffs. Hornung was named an All-American quarterback as a senior and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956 before becoming the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He earned NFL MVP honors in 1961 for the Packers as a triple-threat halfback and placekicker by setting a single-season NFL scoring record that stood for 46 years. Hornung is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, and legendary coach Vince Lombardi once called him "The most versatile man ever to play the game."
About the Paul Hornung Award Fan Vote
Following Week 10 of the regular season, the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) staff compiles an informational packet featuring players recognized on the Honor Roll and distributes it to the 18-member Paul Hornung Award Selection Committee. Selection Committee members then vote for their top three choices for the Paul Hornung Award finalists. Committee members may select any FBS player who meets the award's criteria, whether or not the player has appeared on the Honor Roll.
Fan voting counts as the 19th vote in both the finalist and winner selections. The fan vote represents approximately 6 percent of the overall vote.
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UP NEXT
No. 2 Utah takes to the road for a 5:30 p.m. MT matchup at No. 22 Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
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FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.  Â
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Dampier went 14-of-26 through the air for 177 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, while also rushing 20 times for 87 yards with two scores on the ground. He added a 29-yard catch from wide receiver Creed Whittemore on a 4th-and-1 play.
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The Phoenix, Arizona, native is just the second FBS player in the last 30 seasons to have multiple pass touchdowns, multiple rush touchdowns and 25+ receiving yards in single game. With the win on Saturday, Dampier is now 19-2 as the starter at Utah, taking sole possession of the sixth-most wins by a QB in program history.
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Dampier has been responsible for multiple touchdowns (passing + rushing) in all nine games this season. The only other players to accomplish that feat are Darian Mensah of Miami and Louisville's Lincoln Kienholz. At Cincinnati on Oct. 31, Dampier set the program record for most career rushing yards by a quarterback.Â
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Through Week 10, Dampier ranks sixth among all active Big 12 quarterbacks with 7,836 career passing yards, however Dampier has made his mark as a true dual-threat with 2,809 career rushing yards—trailing only Auburn's Byrum Brown (2,871) for the FBS quarterback lead.
Dampier became one of just five Big 12 quarterbacks all-time to both rush and pass for 150-plus yards against a ranked opponent on Oct. 24, doing so against then-No. 14 Houston (204 passing, 150 rushing). He orchestrated 178 total yards of offense (passing + rushing) in the second half and ran for two touchdowns.
Â
About the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse
The Paul Hornung Award has built an impressive legacy over its first 16 seasons, with nine winners becoming first-round NFL Draft picks — KC Concepcion, Tavon Austin, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Travis Hunter, Christian McCaffrey, Jabrill Peppers, DeVonta Smith and Shaq Thompson.
Hornung, who passed away in his hometown at age 84 in November 2020, played every position in the offensive backfield during his career with the Irish in the 1950s. He also played defensive safety, punted, placekicked and returned kickoffs. Hornung was named an All-American quarterback as a senior and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956 before becoming the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He earned NFL MVP honors in 1961 for the Packers as a triple-threat halfback and placekicker by setting a single-season NFL scoring record that stood for 46 years. Hornung is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, and legendary coach Vince Lombardi once called him "The most versatile man ever to play the game."
About the Paul Hornung Award Fan Vote
Following Week 10 of the regular season, the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) staff compiles an informational packet featuring players recognized on the Honor Roll and distributes it to the 18-member Paul Hornung Award Selection Committee. Selection Committee members then vote for their top three choices for the Paul Hornung Award finalists. Committee members may select any FBS player who meets the award's criteria, whether or not the player has appeared on the Honor Roll.
Fan voting counts as the 19th vote in both the finalist and winner selections. The fan vote represents approximately 6 percent of the overall vote.
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UP NEXT
No. 2 Utah takes to the road for a 5:30 p.m. MT matchup at No. 22 Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
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FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.  Â
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