Pitt’s Abanikanda Named Doak Walker Award Semifinalist
11/22/2022 10:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt running back Israel Abanikanda, the nation's scoring leader with an average of 11.6 points per contest, has been named a semifinalist for Doak Walker National Collegiate Running Back Award, it was announced today by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.
Abanikanda is one of 10 semifinalists for the award and the lone representative of the ACC. He is the Panthers' first Doak Walker semifinalist since James Conner in 2014.
Finalists for the 2022 Doak Walker Award will be announced on Nov. 29. The winner will be announced on ESPN's live telecast of The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8.
Abanikanda is now a semifinalist for three prestigious national awards. He previously was named a semifinalist for the Maxwell and Walter Camp player of the year awards.
The recognition has been well earned. Abanikanda is producing at an All-America pace, ranking among the most productive running backs in the country.
In 10 games played this season (he missed the Nov. 5 Syracuse contest due to injury), Abanikanda has rushed for 1,320 yards and 18 touchdowns on 224 carries (5.9 avg.).
He currently leads the country in scoring per game (11.6) and total touchdowns (19). Abanikanda ranks second nationally in all-purpose yards per game (168.60), rushing touchdowns (18) and total points (116).
Abanikanda ranks sixth in rushing yards per game (132.0), while his 1,320 total rushing yards rank 11th.
His eight 100-yard rushing games this season are the most at Pitt since Dion Lewis had 10 in 2009.
Abanikanda made history in Pitt's 45-29 victory over Virginia Tech (Oct. 8), rushing for 320 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries (8.9 avg.). His rushing yardage and rushing TDs are the most by an FBS player in a game this season.
He broke Dorsett's school single-game rushing record of 303 yards set against Notre Dame on Nov. 15, 1975. Abanikanda also tied the 112-year-old school record for rushing touchdowns in a game, set by Norman Budd against Ohio on Oct. 29, 1910.
Per ESPN Stats & Info, Abanikanda joined LaDainian Tomlinson and Ricky Williams as the only players from current Power 5 programs to rush for 300 yards and score six rush TDs in a game over the last 25 seasons.
Abanikanda and the Panthers seek their fourth consecutive victory on the season when they play at Miami this Saturday. Kickoff for the ACC Network telecast is 8 p.m.
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Abanikanda is one of 10 semifinalists for the award and the lone representative of the ACC. He is the Panthers' first Doak Walker semifinalist since James Conner in 2014.
Finalists for the 2022 Doak Walker Award will be announced on Nov. 29. The winner will be announced on ESPN's live telecast of The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8.
Abanikanda is now a semifinalist for three prestigious national awards. He previously was named a semifinalist for the Maxwell and Walter Camp player of the year awards.
The recognition has been well earned. Abanikanda is producing at an All-America pace, ranking among the most productive running backs in the country.
In 10 games played this season (he missed the Nov. 5 Syracuse contest due to injury), Abanikanda has rushed for 1,320 yards and 18 touchdowns on 224 carries (5.9 avg.).
He currently leads the country in scoring per game (11.6) and total touchdowns (19). Abanikanda ranks second nationally in all-purpose yards per game (168.60), rushing touchdowns (18) and total points (116).
Abanikanda ranks sixth in rushing yards per game (132.0), while his 1,320 total rushing yards rank 11th.
His eight 100-yard rushing games this season are the most at Pitt since Dion Lewis had 10 in 2009.
Abanikanda made history in Pitt's 45-29 victory over Virginia Tech (Oct. 8), rushing for 320 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries (8.9 avg.). His rushing yardage and rushing TDs are the most by an FBS player in a game this season.
He broke Dorsett's school single-game rushing record of 303 yards set against Notre Dame on Nov. 15, 1975. Abanikanda also tied the 112-year-old school record for rushing touchdowns in a game, set by Norman Budd against Ohio on Oct. 29, 1910.
Per ESPN Stats & Info, Abanikanda joined LaDainian Tomlinson and Ricky Williams as the only players from current Power 5 programs to rush for 300 yards and score six rush TDs in a game over the last 25 seasons.
Abanikanda and the Panthers seek their fourth consecutive victory on the season when they play at Miami this Saturday. Kickoff for the ACC Network telecast is 8 p.m.
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