WICHITA, KS — Despite posting mammoth numbers this season, Iowa State University star sophomore running back Breece Hall was edged out by Alabama’s Najee Harris for the illustrious Doak Walker Award.
Announced Thursday evening, the award goes to the nation’s top running back.
While their schedules differed, Hall rushed for more yards, 1,572 to Harris’ 1,387, and averaged more rushing yards per game than Harris — 131 to 125. Harris bested Hall in rushing touchdowns — 24 to 21, and averaged slightly more yards per carry (6.1 to 5.6).
Hall, a Wichita High School NW product, also proved to be more of a workhouse back than Harris, with 50 more carries (279 to 229). He also finished with more 100-plus rushing yard performances than Harris (nine to six), including a stretch of eight in a row.
One has to question whether an SEC-Alabama bias exists in relation to major postseason accolades, as it seems many of those awards go to Alabama players. Bama wide receiver DeVonta Smith secured the Heisman Trophy, while Bama QB Mac Jones finished third in the voting. Additionally, Harris concluded fifth in the Heisman voting, and Hall sixth.