Barner Named Finalist for Doak Walker Award

Oregon's senior running back Kenjon Barner has been named as one of the three finalist for the 2012 Doak Walker Award. The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors announced on Monday that Barner, Wisconsin's Monte Ball and UCLA'S Johnathan Franklin are three players being considered for the Doak Walker Award.

Kenjon Barner has rushed for 1,426 yards for the season and averages 6.5 yards per carry. His biggest game this year was against USC at the LA Coliseum when he rushed for 321 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Barner's selection marks the third straight year that an Oregon running back has been a finalist for the award. Two years ago in the 2010 season, LaMichael James won the award, the first time an Oregon player has been so honored.

This year's recipient will be revealed on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing live from the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk at the Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday, December 6, at 4:30 p.m. (PT).

The three Doak Walker Award finalists will be highlighted on ESPNU during The Home Depot College Football Awards Nomination Special airing Tuesday, November 20, at 6 p.m. (ET). The 30-minute program, hosted by Matt Schick, will include player interviews and analysis from Kevin Carter on the finalists for the Doak Walker Award and other members of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA).

The award is named after three-time SMU All-America running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker. The versatile Walker, who also punted, returned kicks and kicked extra points, led the Mustangs to two Southwest Conference Championships and brought the school into the national spotlight.