Nov. 21, 2016
DALLAS -
Pumphrey4Heisman | Vote for Pumphrey
San Diego State senior Donnel Pumphrey (Las Vegas) has been named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Monday. Pumphrey joins Dalvin Cook of Florida State and D'Onta Foreman of Texas as finalists for the prestigious award, which goes out to the top college running back in the country.
Pumphrey, who is also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (top college player) and Walter Camp Player-of-the-Year award, currently ranks second in the nation in rushing yards (1,855), rushing yards per game (168.6) and all-purpose yards (2,058). He has rushed 287 times on the year for 1,855 yards (6.5 avg.) and 14 touchdowns, while adding a team-high 25 catches for 197 yards (7.9 avg.). Pumphrey is one of just four players in the nation and the only Doak Walker finalist to lead his team in rushing yards and receptions.
With three games left (including a bowl game), Pumphrey is only 12 rushing yards short of tying his Aztec single-season record (1,867 in 2014), 28 yards shy of the Mountain West record (1,883 by Nevada's Stefphon Jefferson in 2012) and 93 yards away from cracking the top 25 in NCAA FBS single-season history (1,948). Pumphrey, who has the most 220-yard games (4) in the country this season, is also the first player in NCAA FBS history with at least 5,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards.
The Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast a second vote to select the 2016 award recipient, which will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on Thursday, Dec. 8 on ESPN in Atlanta.
The Doak Walker Award is named after three-time SMU All-America running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker. Walker, who also punted, returned kicks and kicked extra points, led the Mustangs to two Southwest Conference Championships. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and led the league in scoring his rookie year. During his six years with the Lions, he led the team to two NFL championships and was chosen All-Pro four times. Walker is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
SDSU (9-2, 6-1 MW), which has already clinched a spot in the Mountain West Championship game on Dec. 3, plays host to Colorado State (6-5, 4-3 MW) in the final regular season home game for the San Diego State seniors, including Pumphrey. Tickets can be purchased through GoAztecs.com, over the phone by calling (619) 283-7378, or by visiting Qualcomm Stadium's Window E between 9 a.m. PT and 5 p.m. PT.
San Diego State fans are encouraged to visitPumphrey4Heisman.com and to vote Pumphrey for Heismanhere.
2016 Doak Walker Award Finalists
Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
Dalvin Cook, Florida State
D'Onta Foreman, Texas