University of Memphis Athletics

Henderson Heads to Home Depot College Football Awards Show
Dec 05, 2018 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis junior running back Darrell Henderson will be among the best of the best in college football on Wednesday and Thursday, as he heads to the Home Depot College Football Awards show in Atlanta, Ga. The awards ceremony will air live on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Henderson received an invite to the event as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation's premier running back. He is one of three finalists for the award, along with Travis Etienne (Clemson) and Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin).
The Batesville, Miss., product is the fourth Tiger in the last 15 years to take part in the awards ceremony. PK Jake Elliott (2013-16) attended the ceremony as a finalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2015. P Tom Hornsey (2010-13) won the Ray Guy Award in 2013. RB DeAngelo Williams was the first Memphis player to attend the ceremony, as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award in 2005.
Henderson is the nation's second-leading rusher with 1,909 rushing yards on 214 carries. His 8.92 yards per carry is the best among all running backs with at least 125 rushing attempts. He leads the nation with 2,328 all-purpose yards, 25 total touchdowns and 15 total plays of 40-plus yards.
The 1,909 rushing yards this season are the third-most in program history and his 22 rushing touchdowns tie the single-season program record. He stands as the second-leading rusher in program history with 3,545 career yards and has scored the second-most touchdowns in program history, with 45.
Henderson will have one more opportunity this season, playing in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 22, to break the Memphis single-season rushing record of 1,964 set by DeAngelo Williams in 2005.
The prestigious Doak Walker Award was created in 1989 to recognize the nation's premier running back for his accomplishments on the field, achievement in the classroom and citizenship in the community. It is the only major collegiate football award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.
Henderson received an invite to the event as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation's premier running back. He is one of three finalists for the award, along with Travis Etienne (Clemson) and Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin).
The Batesville, Miss., product is the fourth Tiger in the last 15 years to take part in the awards ceremony. PK Jake Elliott (2013-16) attended the ceremony as a finalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2015. P Tom Hornsey (2010-13) won the Ray Guy Award in 2013. RB DeAngelo Williams was the first Memphis player to attend the ceremony, as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award in 2005.
Henderson is the nation's second-leading rusher with 1,909 rushing yards on 214 carries. His 8.92 yards per carry is the best among all running backs with at least 125 rushing attempts. He leads the nation with 2,328 all-purpose yards, 25 total touchdowns and 15 total plays of 40-plus yards.
The 1,909 rushing yards this season are the third-most in program history and his 22 rushing touchdowns tie the single-season program record. He stands as the second-leading rusher in program history with 3,545 career yards and has scored the second-most touchdowns in program history, with 45.
Henderson will have one more opportunity this season, playing in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 22, to break the Memphis single-season rushing record of 1,964 set by DeAngelo Williams in 2005.
The prestigious Doak Walker Award was created in 1989 to recognize the nation's premier running back for his accomplishments on the field, achievement in the classroom and citizenship in the community. It is the only major collegiate football award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.
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