Football | November 21, 2019

DALLAS – Senior running back LeVante Bellamy was named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2019 Doak Walker Award, according to an announcement by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum on Thursday. The award is given annually to the top running back in college football.
 
A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Bellamy has been outstanding in 2019, leading the country in rushing touchdowns with 21, total points scored with 126 and total touchdowns scored with 21. He stands fourth nationally in points per game (11.5), sixth in total rushing yards (1,284) and eighth in rushing yards per game (116.7).
 
Bellamy is second nationally in rushes of 30 or more yards with 10 and rushes of 40 or more yards with six. His 21 ground TDs are the third most in the MAC through 11 games since 2000, trailing WMU's Jarvion Franklin with 23 in 2014 and Temple's Bernard Pierce with 22 in 2011. Bellamy's 21 rushing touchdowns are also more than 87 programs have this fall.
 
In 46 career games as a Bronco, Bellamy has totaled 578 rushes for 3,532 yards, an average of 6.11 yards per rush. He has scored 33 touchdowns with a long run of 75 yards, tallied this fall against Bowling Green. Bellamy has also added 55 receptions for 363 yards (6.60 yards/catch) and 19 kickoff returns for 358 yards (18.84 yards/return).
 
The Doak Walker Award is named after the three-time SMU All-America running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner. 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.
 
The Doak Walker Award finalists will be named Monday with the winner announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 12.
 
Doak Walker Award Semifinalists
LeVante Bellamy, Western Michigan, Sr.
A.J. Dillon, Boston College, Jr.
J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State, Jr.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU, Jr.
Travis Etienne, Clemson, Jr.
Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis, Fr.
Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State, So.
Xavier Jones, SMU, Sr.
Zack Moss, Utah, Sr.
Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin, Jr.

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