WKU’s Rainey snubbed from Walker semifinalist list
Running back Bobby Rainey catches a touchdown pass during WKU’s 26-22 loss to Arkansas State Oct. 1. Rainey was left off of the Doak Walker semifinal list despite his 129.9 rushing yards per game average this season.
November 11, 2011
BATON ROUGE, La., — Senior running back Bobby Rainey was not on the Doak Walker Award semifinalist list that was released Friday.
Rainey’s 129.9 rushing yard per game average is fourth in the nation, and his 261 rushing attempts outrank the closest competitor, Buffalo’s Branden Oliver, by 36 carries.
The Walker Award is presented annually to college football’s top running back.
Headlining the semifinalist list were Virginia Tech’s David Wilson, Alabama’s Trent Richardson and San Diego State’s Ronnie Hillman.
Rainey eclipsed the 4,000-yard career rushing mark in WKU’s win last Saturday over Florida International.
He passed Taggart last week for the No. 2 spot on the Toppers’ career rushing list.
His 4,016 rushing yards now trail only former running back Leron Moore’s 4,396 yards.
Taggart said he was fine with Rainey passing his rushing mark last week.
“When guys are breaking records like that it means we’re doing some good things,” he said. “They’re made to be broken. Couldn’t be happier for Bobby to get those records.”
