Lincoln – I-back Ameer Abdullah was named a candidate for the 2013 Doak Walker Award on Thursday. The award is annually presented to the nation’s top running back and is named for Walker, a three-time All-American running back at SMU.

Abdullah is the Huskers’ top returning rusher, as he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors by the Big Ten coaches in 2012, despite splitting time with NFL draft pick Rex Burkhead.  Abdullah rushed for 1,137 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore, despite making only seven starts. He totaled six 100-yard games, including four straight in Big Ten action (Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State) and became the first I-back at Nebraska since 1994 to record 100-yard efforts in his first five career starts.

Overall, his 81.2 rushing yards per game ranked ninth in the Big Ten, while his 134.6 all-purpose yards per contest were good for fourth in the conference, as he played a major role in NU leading the Big Ten and ranking eighth nationally in rushing in 2012.  In addition to his rushing, Abdullah was one of the Big Ten’s top all-purpose threats, as he also caught 24 passes and served on Nebraska’s punt and kickoff return units.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name the semifinalists on November 14 and the finalists will be announced on Nov. 25. The recipient of the 2013 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 12, on ESPN. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held in Dallas, Texas, in February 2013.