University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: George Kubas
Pollard Named To Hornung Award Watch List
Jul 17, 2017 | Football
Tigers' dynamic kick returner was named to two Freshman All-Amerca teams in 2016.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Memphis sophomore running back and kick returner Tony Pollard has been named to the 2017 Paul Hornung Award Watch List, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Monday. The award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.
Pollard was recognized as the 2016 American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year and also was named to two Freshman All-America teams (USA Today, Football Writers Association of America). Pollard, a 2016 All-American Athletic Conference first team pick, led The American in kickoff return yards per game (28.1) and was the only player in the conference to return a kickoff for a touchdown. He returned two kicks for touchdowns in 2016.
The Memphis, Tenn., native played in all 13 games and made eight starts his freshman season. His first kick return for a score came in the Tigers' 34-27 league victory over Temple Oct. 6, a 95-yard effort to extend a 27-20 lead to 34-20. The 95-yard kick return for a touchdown snapped a 20-year drought for the Tigers. Prior to Pollard's kick return for a touchdown, the last time Memphis pulled off the feat was in 1996.
Pollard's second kick return for a touchdown came against No. 24/25 Navy Oct. 22, and he set three school with the return. His 100-yard kick return for a touchdown versus the Midshipmen is the longest in program history. The kick-return score was his second of 2016, setting the program's season and career marks kick returns for touchdowns.
Pollard finished the season with 1,534 all-purpose yards (159 rush/298 receive/9 punt return/1,068 kick return). The 1,534 all-purpose yards are the fifth-most for a season in program history. Last season, Pollard was one of only seven players at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level with multiple kick-return touchdowns, and he also ranked among the FBS leaders in kick-return yardage (2nd; 1,068), kick-return touchdowns (2nd: 2), kick returns (6th; 38) and kick-return average (8th; 28.1). He led The American in all four kick-return statistical categories.
The Paul Hornung Award was created by the Louisville Sports Commission in January 2010, with the support of Hornung, a native and lifelong resident of Louisville and member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Memphis is rolling towards the opening of the 2017 preseason camp. The team reports to campus July 27, with the first day of practice scheduled the following day.
The Tigers open their 2017 season with a special Labor Day weekend/Thursday night game against Louisiana-Monroe Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (CT) at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Memphis' season opener is the first of seven home games for the 2017 campaign. Season tickets are on sale now, beginning at $130 (or $115 for TSF members at the $100 donor level) for all seven home games. Tickets and season parking passes can be purchased online at www.GoTigersGo.com/Footballtickets.
Pollard was recognized as the 2016 American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year and also was named to two Freshman All-America teams (USA Today, Football Writers Association of America). Pollard, a 2016 All-American Athletic Conference first team pick, led The American in kickoff return yards per game (28.1) and was the only player in the conference to return a kickoff for a touchdown. He returned two kicks for touchdowns in 2016.
The Memphis, Tenn., native played in all 13 games and made eight starts his freshman season. His first kick return for a score came in the Tigers' 34-27 league victory over Temple Oct. 6, a 95-yard effort to extend a 27-20 lead to 34-20. The 95-yard kick return for a touchdown snapped a 20-year drought for the Tigers. Prior to Pollard's kick return for a touchdown, the last time Memphis pulled off the feat was in 1996.
Pollard's second kick return for a touchdown came against No. 24/25 Navy Oct. 22, and he set three school with the return. His 100-yard kick return for a touchdown versus the Midshipmen is the longest in program history. The kick-return score was his second of 2016, setting the program's season and career marks kick returns for touchdowns.
Pollard finished the season with 1,534 all-purpose yards (159 rush/298 receive/9 punt return/1,068 kick return). The 1,534 all-purpose yards are the fifth-most for a season in program history. Last season, Pollard was one of only seven players at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level with multiple kick-return touchdowns, and he also ranked among the FBS leaders in kick-return yardage (2nd; 1,068), kick-return touchdowns (2nd: 2), kick returns (6th; 38) and kick-return average (8th; 28.1). He led The American in all four kick-return statistical categories.
The Paul Hornung Award was created by the Louisville Sports Commission in January 2010, with the support of Hornung, a native and lifelong resident of Louisville and member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Memphis is rolling towards the opening of the 2017 preseason camp. The team reports to campus July 27, with the first day of practice scheduled the following day.
The Tigers open their 2017 season with a special Labor Day weekend/Thursday night game against Louisiana-Monroe Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (CT) at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Memphis' season opener is the first of seven home games for the 2017 campaign. Season tickets are on sale now, beginning at $130 (or $115 for TSF members at the $100 donor level) for all seven home games. Tickets and season parking passes can be purchased online at www.GoTigersGo.com/Footballtickets.
Players Mentioned
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