Marshall University Athletics
Marshall's Devon Johnson Among Doak Walker Semifinalists
11/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall running back Devon Johnson today was named among 10 semifinalists for the 2014 Doak Walker Award. Johnson, in his first season in the backfield for the unbeaten Herd, has rushed for 1,402 yards in nine games.
Johnson, a junior from Richlands, Va., was named by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors, which presents the award annually to the nation's top running back.
Johnson has posted eight 100-yard rushing games, a Marshall school record as a major college program (1953-81 and 1997-present). His only game without 100 yards was a 91-yard performance against rival Ohio on Sept. 13. His 272-yard game against Florida Atlantic on Oct. 25 set the school single-game record, and his 1,403 yards rank sixth in single-season Herd history. He also has rushed for 16 touchdowns.
In addition, the 6-foot-2, 242-pounder has a 199-yard game (versus Rice) and a 198-yard effort (versus Old Dominion). In 164 carries, Johnson has only had 20 yards of losses this season, and 10 of those came on one play when he tried to field an errant pitchout. He missed one game (at Southern Miss) while recovering from a knee sprain suffered in his record game against FAU.
Johnson, averaging 8.6 yards per game, has led the nationally ranked Herd's strong ground game that stands No. 7 in FBS (294.0 yards per game).
"Devon has had a great season and deserves everything he gets," Marshall Coach Doc Holliday said. "The impact that he has had on our running back room has been tremendous and, like the rest of our team, he puts winning first."
Joining Johnson on the Doak Walker semifinalist list are seniors Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska and Cameron Artis-Payne of Auburn; juniors Jay Ajayi of Boise State, Javorius Allen of USC, Tevin Coleman of Indiana, Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin and Duke Johnson of Miami (Fla.); and sophomores Matt Breida of Georgia Southern and James Conner of Pitt.
Members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes to determine the 2014 finalists. Three finalists will be named next Tuesday (Nov. 25). A second vote by the committee will determine the recipient. The 2014 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 11, 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 NFL 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 the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Marshall (10-0, 6-0 Conference USA) is ranked No. 18 this week in the Associated Press (media) and USA Today/Amway coaches polls, and is the highest-ranked Group of five conference team in both polls. The Herd heads to Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday at noon (ET) for a C-USA date with host UAB (5-5, 3-3).
