Jaret Patterson named Doak Walker Award semifinalist

UB running back Jaret Patterson continues to garner national recognition during his record-breaking season.

On Monday, the junior was named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top running back. Patterson is the first UB player to be named a semifinalist for the award.

Through four games, Patterson has rushed for 920 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also leads the nation in rushing yards per game, with 230. The junior’s 16 rushing touchdowns are good for third in the country.

Patterson rewrote the school and conference record books with his historic performance against Kent State. The Glendale, MD native ran for 409 yards and eight rushing touchdowns against the Golden Flashes. 

His 409 rushing yards are the second-highest single-game total in FBS history and his eight rushing touchdowns tied a single-game FBS record. Patterson also made history by rushing for a combined 710 yards and 12 touchdowns in the Bulls’ last two games, an FBS record over a two-game span.

Other Doak Walker Award semifinalists include:

Travis Etienne - Clemson

Breece Hall - Iowa State

Najee Harris - Alabama

Mo Ibrahim - Minnesota

Jermar Jefferson - Oregon State

Sincere McCormick - UTSA

Isaiah Spiller - Texas A&M

Javonte Williams - North Carolina

Kyren Williams - Notre Dame

The Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast its votes and determine three finalists. The finalists will be announced on Monday, Dec. 21. 

The committee will vote a final time to determine the 2020 award recipient, with the winner set to be named on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2021 on ESPN.

Anthony DeCicco is the Senior Sports Editor and can be reached at anthony.decicco@ubspectrum.com and on Twitter @DeCicco42

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