TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State sophomore running back Eno Benjamin is one of 10 semifinalists for the 2018 Doak Walker Award – presented annually to the nation's premier running back – as announced by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum on Wednesday morning.
Benjamin is currently among the nation's top 10 and the Pac-12 leader in rushing yards (1,295/third), rushing yards per game (129.5/fourth), total touchdowns (14/seventh) and rushing touchdowns (12/ninth). Also a receiving threat out of the backfield, Benjamin is eighth nationally and second in the Pac-12 in all-purpose yards per game (150.7). Benjamin's current rushing total of 1,295 yards has already eclipsed Ryan Torain's Pac-12-era ASU school record of 1,229 yards for a single season (2006). He needs 271 yards to break Woody Green's school record of 1,565 yards set in 1972.
Earlier this season Benjamin set the school's single-game rushing record (No. 8 on Pac-12's all-time list) with 312 yards against Oregon State. In the same game Benjamin, who is third in the nation with 64 first downs rushing, also set the school record for most rushing yards in a half (185) against OSU. Benjamin, who has rushed for 100 or more yards seven times this season, has averaged 180.7 yards rushing while running for five scores in in ASU's last three games. Benjamin has been as reliable as he has been consistent as he does not have a fumble on 230 carries this season – one of just 31 running backs that have played 300+ snaps without a fumble and the most carries without a fumble among any running back in the FBS.
To determine the 2018 finalists, members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes after this week's games. Three finalists for the award will be named Monday, November 19. The Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast a second vote to select the 2018 award recipient. The 2018 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 6 on ESPN.
The 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.
Winners of their last three games, the Sun Devils (6-4, 4-3 Pac-12) travel to Eugene, Ore., later this week to face Oregon (6-4, 3-4) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. MT).
Benjamin is currently among the nation's top 10 and the Pac-12 leader in rushing yards (1,295/third), rushing yards per game (129.5/fourth), total touchdowns (14/seventh) and rushing touchdowns (12/ninth). Also a receiving threat out of the backfield, Benjamin is eighth nationally and second in the Pac-12 in all-purpose yards per game (150.7). Benjamin's current rushing total of 1,295 yards has already eclipsed Ryan Torain's Pac-12-era ASU school record of 1,229 yards for a single season (2006). He needs 271 yards to break Woody Green's school record of 1,565 yards set in 1972.
Earlier this season Benjamin set the school's single-game rushing record (No. 8 on Pac-12's all-time list) with 312 yards against Oregon State. In the same game Benjamin, who is third in the nation with 64 first downs rushing, also set the school record for most rushing yards in a half (185) against OSU. Benjamin, who has rushed for 100 or more yards seven times this season, has averaged 180.7 yards rushing while running for five scores in in ASU's last three games. Benjamin has been as reliable as he has been consistent as he does not have a fumble on 230 carries this season – one of just 31 running backs that have played 300+ snaps without a fumble and the most carries without a fumble among any running back in the FBS.
To determine the 2018 finalists, members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes after this week's games. Three finalists for the award will be named Monday, November 19. The Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast a second vote to select the 2018 award recipient. The 2018 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 6 on ESPN.
The 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.
Winners of their last three games, the Sun Devils (6-4, 4-3 Pac-12) travel to Eugene, Ore., later this week to face Oregon (6-4, 3-4) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. MT).