Badgers' Gordon named Walker, Doak Award Finalist

MADISON, Wis.--Wisconsin junior Melvin Gordon's status as one of college football's best was backed up Tuesday when the running back was named a finalist for both the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award.

In the midst of a record-setting season, Gordon enters UW's rivalry game with Minnesota as the nation's leading rusher (191.7 yards per game) and leading scorer (27 touchdowns). His 2,109 rushing yards have Gordon tied for the Big Ten single-season record, and he is on pace to break the all-time NCAA records for yards-per-carry average in a season and in a career.

He broke the NCAA single-game rushing record with 408 yards against Nebraska two weeks ago and, last Saturday, became the fastest player in NCAA history to reach 2,000 yards in a season by doing so on his 241st carry of the year -- a career-long 88-yard breakaway.

Gordon will vie for the Maxwell Award, presented to the collegiate player of the year, with Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott.

In a fantastic year for running backs across college football, Gordon also headlines the list of finalists for the Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation's top running back, and is joined by Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska and Tevin Coleman of Indiana.

The winner of both awards will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards show at 6 p.m. (CT) on Dec. 11.