UTEP football: Pair of Miners appear on award watch lists

UTEP's star offensive players Aaron Jones, and Autrey Golden earned recognition on two prestigious award watch lists.

Golden was named to the 2015 Preseason Paul Hornung Award watch list the committee announced on Monday.

The Paul Hornung Award is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football. The award was created by the LSC in January 2010 with the support of the Golden Boy himself, Paul Hornung, a native and lifelong resident of Louisville and member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

Golden played running back and receiver in 2014, and is one of the nation's top kick returners.  He played in all 13 games for the Miners in 2014 and helped the team to the New Mexico Bowl. On special teams, Golden registered 31 kickoff returns for 743 yards and two touchdowns. He ranks tied for second in C-USA history and tied for third in NCAA history in kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Jones was named to the 79th annual Maxwell Award preseason watch list, the Maxwell Football Club announced today.

The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937. Maxwell's contributions to the game of football were extensive, including time as a player, a sportswriter and an official.

The junior running back garnered 2014 All-Conference USA second team honors after starting 12 games for the Miners. Jones led the team with 1,321 rushing yards which marks the fourth-best single-season total in program history.

Both are expected to have bigger production roles this upcoming season, as UTEP looks to improve on a 7-6 bowl appearance season in 2014.

UTEP starts fall camp on August 5th in Ruidoso, New Mexico ahead of the season opener on September 6th at Arkansas.