Riley Named to Paul Hornung Award Watch List

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the second year in a row, Orange senior wide receiver and return specialist Sean Riley has been selected to the Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List, which was released today by the Louisville Sports Commission. Named after Hornung, the 1956 Heisman Trophy winner who starred at Notre Dame and later in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers, the award is presented by Texas Roadhouse and honors the most versatile player in major college football.

Riley is one of four all-purpose standouts from Atlantic Coast Conference schools on the 44-man watch list. Pittsburgh's Maurice Ffrench, North Carolina's Dazz Newsome and Virginia Joe Reed also made the cut.

A preseason candidate for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's outstanding receiver, Riley enters his final season seventh in school history and first among active FBS players with 3,678 career all-purpose yards. He's served as the Orange's primary kickoff return man since his freshman season and leads all active FBS players with 100 returns for 2,174 yards (21.7 avg.). Additionally, Riley tops the ACC active list with 83 career receptions for 990 yards (11.9 avg.) and three touchdowns. He's also run back 35 punts for 424 (12.1 avg.) yards and a score.

In 2018, Riley was an all-purpose selection to the All-ACC Third Team. Syracuse's leading receiver, he caught 64 balls for 756 yards (11.8 avg.) and three touchdowns. He also made his mark in the return game, finishing second in the nation in punt return average (16.4).

So far this summer, Riley has received preseason All-ACC recognition as a receiver (Phil Steele), all-purpose player (Athlon, Lindy's) and return specialist (Athlon, Phil Steele).

This year's watch list was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on a combination of 2018 statistics, career performance, SID recommendations and expectations heading into the 2019 season. The winner will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award Dinner at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville on March 4, 2020.

For more information about the Paul Hornung Award, visit www.paulhornungaward.com.

The Orange kick off the 2019 campaign at Liberty on Saturday, Aug. 31 and open their home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 14 versus Clemson.

Season and single-game tickets are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) or in person at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center. Season tickets start at $125.

Syracuse's single-game ticket allotment for the Clemson game is sold out. The only way to guarantee a seat to watch the Orange and Tigers is through the purchase of a season ticket.

Syracuse Players on 2019 NCFAA Watch Lists
Bednarik Award: Andre Cisco, Alton Robinson
Doak Walker Award: Moe Neal
Biletnikoff Award: Sean Riley
Rimington Trophy: Airon Servais
Jim Thorpe Award: Andre Cisco
Nagurski Trophy: Andre Cisco, Alton Robinson
Ray Guy Award: Sterling Hofrichter
Lou Groza Award: Andre Szmyt
Wuerffel Trophy: Andrew Armstrong
Paul Hornung Award: Sean Riley

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Syracuse University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Andrew Armstrong

Andre Cisco

Sterling Hofrichter

Moe Neal

Sean Riley

Alton Robinson

Airon Servais

Andre Szmyt

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