Missouri sophomore tailback Henry Josey and Wisconsin junior tailback Montee Ball, a native of Wentzville, MO. have been named two of 10 semifinalists for the 2011 Doak Walker Award, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top running back.
Despite beginning the season third on the depth chart, Josey has burst into the national scene, as he leads the Big 12 Conference, and ranks 5th nationally, with his average of 127.67 yards per game. Josey’s per-carry average of 8.57 yards is second-best in the nation.
Ball leads all of the semifinalists with 21 touchdowns and the third highest yards per carry at 6.64.
A comparison of the other semifinalists’ stats is listed below.
2011 Doak Walker Award Semifinalist Statistical Comparison
Player, School (Year) – Games Played Att. Yards Avg. TDs Game Schedule Strength
Henry Josey, Missouri (So.) – 9 134 1,149 8.57 9 127.67 1st
Montee Ball, Wisconsin (Jr.) – 9 162 1,076 6.64 21 119.56 87th
Rex Burkhead, Nebraska (Jr.) – 9 187 951 5.09 13 105.67 46th
Ronnie Hillman, San Diego St. (So.) – 8 199 1,198 6.02 13 149.75 94th
LaMichael James, Oregon (Jr.) – 7 133 1,061 7.98 9 151.57 36th
Zach Line, SMU (Jr.) – 9 184 1,089 5.92 17 121.00 72nd
Chris Polk, Washington (Jr.) – 9 207 1,096 5.29 9 121.78 30th
Joseph Randle, Oklahoma St. (So.) – 9 151 915 6.06 18 101.67 4th
Trent Richardson, Alabama (Jr.) – 9 172 1,078 6.27 17 119.78 20th
David Wilson, Virginia Tech (Jr.) – 9 187 1,185 6.34 7 131.67 70th
