Aug. 22, 2003

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri senior tailback Zack Abron has been named to the pre-season candidate list for the prestigious Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's top running back.

Abron, a Lake St. Louis, Mo. native, enters the 2003 season ranking 8th alltime on the Mizzou career rushing charts, with 2,043 yards. He needs just 984 more to become MU's alltime leading rusher, and is just 61 points away from becoming the school's alltime leading scorer. Abron rushed for 758 yards and scored 17 touchdowns (15 rushing, 2 receiving) during the 2002 season. He carries a streak of 166 consecutive carries without a fumble into the 2003 season opener vs. Illinois.

The SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select eight semifinalists on November 19, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will vote on the winner in late November. The National Selection Committee consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, print and electronic media members and selected special representatives.

The recipient of the 2003 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN along with other NCFAA member awards on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 11, 2003. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held at The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas, on Thursday, February 12, 2004.

Former Penn State running back Larry Johnson, currently with the Kansas City Chiefs, won the 2002 Doak Walker Award.

The SMU Athletic Forum, the presenting entity for the Doak Walker Award, produces four annual luncheons and is widely regarded as America's preeminent sports luncheon series. Sponsors of the Forum include PricewaterhouseCoopers, American Airlines, The Dallas Morning News, AFLAC, Guaranty Bank and The Texas Rangers.