Nov. 16, 2016
By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - They can't stop Kamryn Pettway, even when he is injured.
The Auburn sophomore and Southeastern Conference rushing leader was named Wednesday a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, which honors the top running back in college football.
Pettway leads the SEC in rushing in total yards, with 1,106; and in average rushing yards per game, with 138.2. He's done that despite missing two games with injuries and not getting a carry in the season-opener. Pettway, who suffered a leg injury in the closing minutes of the Vanderbilt game Nov. 5, is expected to miss his second straight game when Auburn plays Alabama A&M on Saturday. The Tigers are hoping to have him ready for the Nov. 26 game at Alabama.
Pettway, one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker, burst on the scene after the opening game and quickly displayed a willingness to run over defenders.
"He's a super person, first of all," said coach Gus Malzahn. "He's a fine young man. He is running very physical. He does look people up. I told it's OK every now and then to fake and run by them, but he really likes looking them up and running them over."
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Pettway led the nation in rushing in October, averaging 199 yards per game.
The winner of the Doak Walker Award will be announced Dec. 8.
Here are the Doak Walker semifinalists
Kamryn Pettway, Auburn
Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Dalvin Cook, Florida State
D'Onta Foreman, Texas
Leonard Fournette, LSU
Brian Hill, Wyoming
Aaron Jones, Texas-El Paso
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine