University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Dion Lewis Named Doak Walker Award Candidate
8/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 25, 2010
PITTSBURGH--Pitt sophomore running back Dion Lewis, the nation's leading returning rusher, added to his lengthy list of preseason recognitions this afternoon when he was named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, annually presented to the nation's top running back.
This is the latest prestigious award to name Lewis to its watch list. Previously he was named a preseason candidate for the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award, both of which are presented to the college player of the year.
The 5-foot-8, 195-pound Lewis (Albany, N.Y./Blair Academy [N.J.]) ranked third nationally in rushing last year (138.38 yards/game). He was named to no fewer than eight postseason All-America teams and also earned Big East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.
Lewis' running style and high production sparked comparisons to some of the top backs in school history. He finished with 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns on 325 carries (5.5 avg.), the second highest yardage in Pitt annals. Only the legendary Tony Dorsett, who eclipsed 2,000 yards during his 1976 Heisman Trophy campaign, rushed for more yards in a single season at Pitt.
No longer under the radar, Lewis is considered one of the country's most exciting players heading into the 2010 season. Quipped ESPN college football analyst and 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard: "Dion Lewis is one of the premier runners in the country. He is a legitimate Heisman candidate."
For more information on Lewis, as well as video highlights, go to www.DionLewis28.com.
The PricewaterhouseCoopers SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select the semifinalists on November 10, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine the finalists, who will be announced on November 22. The committee will cast a second vote beginning on November 29 to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.
The recipient of the 2010 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Thursday, December 9.
The Panthers, ranked No. 15 by both major preseason polls, will play a highly anticipated season opener at Utah on Sept. 2. The game will be a national telecast on Versus. In addition to the Panthers' lofty rankings, the Utes are rated No. 24 (tied) in the coaches poll.
It is the first time Pitt will play a road season opener featuring two Top 25 teams since its 1976 national championship year, when the preseason No. 9 Panthers played at No. 11 Notre Dame. Pitt rolled past the host Irish, 31-10, en route to a 12-0 record and the unanimous national title. For ticket information, call the Pitt Ticket Office at (800) 643-PITT or log on to www.PittsburghPanthers.com.
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