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Sione Vaki Named Paul Hornung Award Finalist
11/16/2023 11:02 AM | Football
LOUISVILLE – Utah Football dynamic two-way player Sione Vaki has been named a finalist for the 2023 Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.
Vaki is one of three finalists for the award, which is in its 14th season, with all three student-athletes representing the Pac-12. The winner of the award will be honored at the Paul Hornung Award dinner in downtown Louisville in March 2024.
Vaki has started all 10 games this season at safety, but when the Utes needed a spark on offense, his name was called. He has been named to the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll three times and twice earned the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week.
On defense, the Antioch, Calif., native has recorded 49 tackles (8.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks), two pass breakups and an interception with his 7.5 TFL during conference play tying for seventh in the league. As a running back and a slot receiver, Vaki has racked up 239 rushing yards (2 TDs) and 211 receiving yards (3 TDs).
He had a breakout game on offense against California, producing 158 rushing yards on 15 carries (10.5 ypc) with two touchdowns, the most rushing yards by a Pac-12 defensive back in recorded league history. He also had 149 receiving yards on five catches (29.8 ypc) at No. 18 USC with two touchdowns.
Vaki has a 72-yard rushing touchdown and two 53-yard receiving scores this season, including his 53-yard touchdown catch at No. 5 Washington. He also had a sack against the Huskies, becoming the first Pac-12 player since 2014 to have both a sack and a receiving touchdown in the same game.
The standout safety had back-to-back nine-tackle performances against No. 22 UCLA and No. 19 Oregon State, grabbing a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss against the Beavers. His first-career interception was against Florida.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
UP NEXT
Utah will remain on the road this week as they take on the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, Nov. 18 in Tucson. Game time is set for 12:30 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Networks.
Vaki is one of three finalists for the award, which is in its 14th season, with all three student-athletes representing the Pac-12. The winner of the award will be honored at the Paul Hornung Award dinner in downtown Louisville in March 2024.
Vaki has started all 10 games this season at safety, but when the Utes needed a spark on offense, his name was called. He has been named to the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll three times and twice earned the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week.
On defense, the Antioch, Calif., native has recorded 49 tackles (8.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks), two pass breakups and an interception with his 7.5 TFL during conference play tying for seventh in the league. As a running back and a slot receiver, Vaki has racked up 239 rushing yards (2 TDs) and 211 receiving yards (3 TDs).
He had a breakout game on offense against California, producing 158 rushing yards on 15 carries (10.5 ypc) with two touchdowns, the most rushing yards by a Pac-12 defensive back in recorded league history. He also had 149 receiving yards on five catches (29.8 ypc) at No. 18 USC with two touchdowns.
Vaki has a 72-yard rushing touchdown and two 53-yard receiving scores this season, including his 53-yard touchdown catch at No. 5 Washington. He also had a sack against the Huskies, becoming the first Pac-12 player since 2014 to have both a sack and a receiving touchdown in the same game.
The standout safety had back-to-back nine-tackle performances against No. 22 UCLA and No. 19 Oregon State, grabbing a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss against the Beavers. His first-career interception was against Florida.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
UP NEXT
Utah will remain on the road this week as they take on the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, Nov. 18 in Tucson. Game time is set for 12:30 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Networks.
Players Mentioned
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