DALLAS, Texas?ULM senior running back Calvin Dawson has been named to the Doak Walker Award watch list the Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum announced today. The award is presented annually to the nation's top college running back. Dawson becomes the sixth Warhawk to be named to a preseason watch list this season.
“It is great that we have a player mentioned for such a prestigious
award,” ULM
head coach Charlie Weatherbie said. “I
am looking forward to a good year and anticipating great performances from
Calvin.”
Last season the Bossier
City, La. native
emerged as the Sun Belt Conference's top running back compiling 1,210 yards on
the ground and 11 touchdowns. Dawson showed that it didn't matter the competition positing
100+ yard rushing games against Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky. Dawson
averaged 141.7 yards per game against the three SEC opponents.
“He is very capable of doing the same thing this year,”
Weatherbie said. “He has a lot of talent
and we are excited about what he brings to the table both on and off the field.”
Dawson needs 1,098 yards this season to become
the all-time leading rusher in ULM
history passing Roosevelt Potts' total of 3,061 yards. The 5-foot-10, 207-pound back can also claim
the school rushing touchdowns record needing just five more to pass Greg
Robinson with 25.
Dawson joins Kyle Cunningham (Outland
Trophy, Lombardi Award), Adam Hill (Rimington Award, Lombardi Award), Cole
Wilson (Lou Groza Award), Zeek Zacharie (John Mackey Award) and Kinsmon
Lancaster (Davey O'Brien Award) on the preseason watch lists.
“It is very exciting to have the preseason recognition for
this group of guys,” Weatherbie said. “Getting
mentioned on watch lists in the preseason is great because these guys get
looked at each week, but now it's a matter of going out and winning football
games.”
The field of candidates includes 2006 Doak Walker Award recipient Arkansas junior Darren McFadden, as well as 2006 Doak Walker Award finalists Michigan senior Mike Hart and West Virginia junior Steve Slaton. Other candidates include Boise State junior Ian Johnson, who led the nation in touchdowns last season; and Rutgers junior Ray Rice who rushed for more yards than any returning player and set a Big East record with 1,794 yards in 2006.
The Warhawks open the 2007 season tomorrow night against Tulsa under the lights of
Malone Stadium and in front of the eyes of the entire nation on ESPN2 HD at
6:03 pm.
