University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Gainwell Named to Doak Walker Watch List
Jul 15, 2020 | Football
MEMPHIS – The lone freshman to be named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award last season, running back Kenneth Gainwell was named to the watch list for the 2020 award Wednesday. Gainwell, 2019 Doak Walker winner Chuba Hubbard (Oklahoma State) and 2018 finalist Travis Etienne (Clemson) are the only Doak Walker semifinalists from last year returning in 2020.
On his way to numerous awards, including FWAA Freshman of the Year, Sporting News All-American, American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and unanimous all-conference honors in 2019, Gainwell finished with 1,459 rushing yards on 231 carries. That ranked first nationally among freshmen and 12th in the FBS. His 6.32 yards per carry ranked 12th nationally.
As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Gainwell stepped into the season-opening win over Ole Miss following an injury to senior back Patrick Taylor. In that win, Gainwell carried the ball six times and caught one pass after Taylor's fourth-quarter injury, as part of a six minute and 21 second drive that sealed the victory.
Following a two-touchdown performance in the next game, Gainwell ripped off six consecutive 100-yard rushing games, a Memphis freshman record. In that stretch of games was a 200-yard receiving effort to compliment a 100-yard rushing performance game against Tulane. Against the Green Wave, Gainwell became the first player since 1997 to post a 200-100 effort, finishing with 203 receiving yards and 104 rushing yards.
With 610 yards receiving, Gainwell led the country in all-purpose yards by a freshman, finishing the season ninth with 2,069 yards (147.79 ypg).
He became just the third player in program history to record over 2,000 all-purpose yards in a single season. DeAngelo Williams accomplished that mark three times (2003, 2004 and 2005) while Darrell Henderson set the school record with 2,328 all-purpose yards in 2018, Gainwell's redshirt season at Memphis.
Gainwell's 13 rushing touchdowns helped Memphis to 12-2 overall record, a third consecutive AAC West Division title, an AAC Championship and a Cotton Bowl berth. His 610 receiving yards ranked third on the roster and is second among Memphis returners for 2020, trailing only two-time 1,000-yard receiver Damonte Coxie's 1,276 yards.
The Doak Walker Award is named for SMU's three-time All-American running back Doak Walker. It is presented annually by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.
Memphis is scheduled to open its 2020 season on September 5 against Arkansas State.
On his way to numerous awards, including FWAA Freshman of the Year, Sporting News All-American, American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and unanimous all-conference honors in 2019, Gainwell finished with 1,459 rushing yards on 231 carries. That ranked first nationally among freshmen and 12th in the FBS. His 6.32 yards per carry ranked 12th nationally.
As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Gainwell stepped into the season-opening win over Ole Miss following an injury to senior back Patrick Taylor. In that win, Gainwell carried the ball six times and caught one pass after Taylor's fourth-quarter injury, as part of a six minute and 21 second drive that sealed the victory.
Following a two-touchdown performance in the next game, Gainwell ripped off six consecutive 100-yard rushing games, a Memphis freshman record. In that stretch of games was a 200-yard receiving effort to compliment a 100-yard rushing performance game against Tulane. Against the Green Wave, Gainwell became the first player since 1997 to post a 200-100 effort, finishing with 203 receiving yards and 104 rushing yards.
With 610 yards receiving, Gainwell led the country in all-purpose yards by a freshman, finishing the season ninth with 2,069 yards (147.79 ypg).
He became just the third player in program history to record over 2,000 all-purpose yards in a single season. DeAngelo Williams accomplished that mark three times (2003, 2004 and 2005) while Darrell Henderson set the school record with 2,328 all-purpose yards in 2018, Gainwell's redshirt season at Memphis.
Gainwell's 13 rushing touchdowns helped Memphis to 12-2 overall record, a third consecutive AAC West Division title, an AAC Championship and a Cotton Bowl berth. His 610 receiving yards ranked third on the roster and is second among Memphis returners for 2020, trailing only two-time 1,000-yard receiver Damonte Coxie's 1,276 yards.
The Doak Walker Award is named for SMU's three-time All-American running back Doak Walker. It is presented annually by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.
Memphis is scheduled to open its 2020 season on September 5 against Arkansas State.
Players Mentioned
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